Reading Chronicle | News | Foster care campaign begins

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 17:30

Foster care campaign begins

Foster Care Fortnight began on Monday (12), with the aim of recruiting new parents and raising awareness of the vital help they can give.

Around 140 children in Reading are looked after by social services, while in Wokingham borough there are 68 and the council is searching for 15 more foster carers to look after some of them. Full training and support is provided, plus an allowance of up to £450 per week for each child.

Fostering services manager Kim Harris said: “Foster carers play a vital role in giving children in care the best possible start in life. Looked after children can benefit enormously from the chance to experience a positive family setting and their future can be significantly improved if they are able to be cared for closer to their family home.”

BBC presenter Gabby Logan is backing the campaign, and said: “I think that fostering children is a wonderful thing to do. I am in awe of anyone who lends their home, love and skills to support children who are in need of a bit of extra special care.”

Anyone wanting to know more can go to information sessions being held at the council offices in Shute End, Wokingham, next Thursday (22) from 1-3pm and again from 6-8pm, or contact 0118 974 6204 or email: fostering@wokingham.gov.uk

People living in Reading can call the council’s fostering team on 0118 955 3740, while those in West Berkshire should call 01635 503155.

For more on fostering in the Reading area and exclusive interviews, see Thursday's Chronicle.

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