Page 20 - link magazine

20 swindonlink.com • May 2012
Fortnight in May to raise profile of fostering and attract new foster carers

Foster Care Fortnight in May is the Fostering Network’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and attract new carers writes Cheryl Keller.
From 14 to 27 May, with a theme care system. We will be staffing a and 21 who may have been
of fostering: time to care, the cam- booth at the Brunel Centre on 16, in foster care and are not yet
paign will highlight the urgent need 17 and 18 May to explain what ready to live on their own.
for more foster carers and calls on fostering involves to people who There is also a need for
everyone to get behind fostering would like to know more. remand fostering. It’s a sad
and support children in care. This The council is particularly hop- fact that some young people
year we will particularly focus on ing to find more foster families for can find themselves in
the shortage of foster families for teenagers as they are the hardest age trouble with the law. When
teenagers. group to home, and is also on the this happens, the police or
Swindon Borough Council will look-out for more supported lodg- the Court sometimes decide
join this national campaign to ings carers and remand foster carers. that it’s not appropriate for
encourage more foster carers to Supported lodging is a form of in- the young person to return
help the growing number of young dependent living in a family setting home immediately. Cheryl Keller
people who are entering the social for young people aged between 16 In those circumstances
the young person may be remanded short-term placements, for up to 28
to local authority care. We believe days, as an alternative to custody.
locking up children is never a suit- To find out about becoming a
able course of action except for the foster carer please call the Family
Foster for Swindon most serious offences and we need Placement Team on 01793 465700.
foster carers who are able to provide www.couldyoufoster.org.uk/fcf

Open Studios May open evening
People Like You - Providing a Home Swindon Open Studios takes place over the weekends of 8/9 and 15/16
September.
In advance of the 19 June closing date for entries, artists and crafts-
Make a big difference to children people in the Swindon area are invited to an open evening on Friday
and young people in Swindon. Foster. 18 May, 7.30pm, at the Artsite Post Modern Gallery, Theatre Square.
Further details from www.swindonopenstudios.org.uk
01793 465700 West Swindon Open Gardens to go red, white and blue
[email protected]
www.swindon.gov.uk More gardens are needed to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer
on 16 and 17 June. If you’re willing to show off your garden
this summer mail Lesley Dredge: [email protected]

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