The Bracknell Forest fostering team has launched a new campaign called "Any of Us" to highlight that anyone can be a foster carer.
Fostering involves giving a safe and caring home to a child (or children) who cannot live with their parents. There are several reasons why this might happen, like family illness or problems at home.
Over 80 local authorities are collaborating to address the national shortage of foster carers. They are working together in the largest ever public sector fostering campaign. They have made a powerful three-minute video about ordinary people who foster local children.
The video shows 3 people from different backgrounds. They all have a special ability to care, which makes them ideal foster parents.
The main characters’ stories are interwoven with teenager Chloe, on her journey into foster care.
Cllr Roy Bailey, lead member for children’s services, said:
“Bracknell Forest fostering, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2022, is responsible for finding foster families for children aged 0-18 throughout Bracknell Forest. Becoming a foster carer with a local service like ours means you can give a local home to local children. For someone like Chloe, a local home means stability, familiarity and belonging. It allows them to stay at school, continue with clubs and activities, stay close to friends and feel safe in familiar places.
“Unfortunately, we also find that a lot of men rule themselves out of fostering. However, for children who have experienced negative relationships with males in their past, a man who is calm, patient and caring can shows behaviour that is socially acceptable and helps them create better connections later in life.”
Peter Hodges, service lead for fostering at Bracknell Forest Council, said:
“Currently Bracknell Forest Council is urgently seeking more foster carers to care for local children and to give them a better start in life. I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about being a foster carer to watch the video then visit our website or give us a call for more information or an informal chat with our fostering team. Caring for those who are more vulnerable than us is an instinct we all have. All other skills needed as a foster carer can be gained through training and ongoing support from the Bracknell Forest fostering team.”
For more information on fostering in Bracknell Forest, visit our fostering pages.
