Find out more about Fostering Hampshire Children’s #OpenYourDoor campaign
Children and young people in Hampshire face a brighter future after 70 Hampshire families sign up to become foster carers. But more homes are needed.
Fostering Hampshire Children, part of Hampshire County Council, is pleased to have welcomed 70 new families to its fostering community and is reflecting on the impact this will have on some of the county’s children in care.
Every 12 hours another Hampshire child comes into care in need of a foster carer. Fostering Hampshire Children launched its #OpenYourDoor campaign in August 2022 to help close the gap between the number of children needing a loving home and the number of foster carers available in the County.
The aim is ambitious – to recruit 150 new foster homes by the end of 2023, by asking Hampshire residents to open their door to a child in care. So far, 70 fantastic families have joined the county’s growing foster care community. Having these extra homes available will help the Fostering Hampshire Children team identify the most appropriate accommodation for the children coming into care.
The #OpenYourDoor campaign highlights the accessibility of fostering for everyone.
- You don’t need to own your home or be in a long-term relationship.
- Your sexuality and ethnicity don’t matter.
- You don’t have to do fostering as a ‘full-time job’.
- You certainly don’t need to be ‘practically perfect in every way’.
There are some things you do need:
- a spare bedroom
- patience
- resilience
- open-mindedness
- positivity
People aged over 21, who have the capacity and capability to build new relationships, learn about other cultures and offer stability to a young person at the time it’s needed most, could provide one of the 80 next foster homes.
Fostering Hampshire Children is rated outstanding by OFSTED and offers generous allowances and fantastic training and support. Their growing community keeps foster carers connected in their vital role enhancing children’s lives.
Fostering Hampshire Children prides itself on the support it gives foster carers through the Hampshire Hive – a network of local groups that are open to all carers as well as children in care and birth children, a closed Facebook group, a buddy system and regular catch-ups with a designated Supervising Social Worker.
There is currently an urgent need to provide foster homes for Hampshire children, from babies through to teenagers, children seeking asylum, sibling groups and children with additional needs or disabilities.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit the Fostering Hampshire Children website and download an information pack, or call the team on 01489 587052.
| Click on the Play button to listen again to our special feature interview with Martha from Fostering Hampshire Children |
|
