READING is among 20 locations where local authorities have joined one of the biggest fostering partnerships in the UK.
Brighter Futures for Children has announced that it will join 19 other organisations and authorities taking part in an initiative to recruit more foster carers.
The scheme sees the launch of a new hub to provide a centralised platform for prospective carers to make enquiries and foster collaboration between councils and children’s services providers through a new ambassador initiative.
The hub will also share the experiences of carers to raise awareness of what it is like to foster and how to become a carer, as well as access comprehensive training and other support, including financial assistance.
The project was funded by the Department for Education and includes organisations from West Berkshire, Wokingham, West Sussex, Oxfordshire, Southampton, Surrey, Kent, Medway, Slough, and Bracknell.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We do not currently have enough Reading-based foster carers, so we are delighted to be involved in this partnership and keep more children and young people in care closer to their local links, including school, family and friends.
“Our foster carers make such a positive difference to children’s lives and create many happy moments for them to look back on for years to come.
“This hub will help us to give more children a loving home locally and will enhance our offer to make sure foster carers have access to the support they need.”
Cllr Wendy Griffith, lead councillor for Children at Reading Borough Council, said: “We are excited to be part of this collaboration to increase the number of foster carers and make sure they continue to be supported to care for our children and young people.
“Becoming a foster carer is a wonderful thing to do and I hope that by working with the 19 other local authorities across the region, we’ll be able to find more loving homes in Reading.”
