Newsroom

4 January 2023

Change a life in 2023

Blackpool Council is appealing to residents to consider making a rewarding change this year by becoming a foster carer.

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Foster carers can make a positive difference to a local child that will last a lifetime.

There are currently around 300 children in care in what are known as external placements in Blackpool. This includes children and young people in residential care, some of whom are awaiting a loving foster home.

The council recently joined forces with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to launch an urgent appeal for more people to find out about becoming a specialist foster carer.

Specialist fostering involves caring for children and young people with complex emotional and physical needs.

There are different types of specialist fostering including parent and child, looking after children with disabilities and step down fostering.

A step down foster carer will help a child or young person adjust to moving from a residential children’s home to living in a stable and supportive family environment.

Empathy and patience are key to being a specialist foster carer. The role would be particularly suitable for those with a background in childcare, social care, policing, teaching, youth work or previous experience of foster care.

Foster carers are needed across all age ranges, for varying length of times. Carers that can look after children and young people with complex needs are a priority but foster carers from all walks of life are needed.

People interested in becoming a foster carer must have a spare bedroom and be over 21 years.

Blackpool Council foster carers benefit from a comprehensive package of support including enhanced generous allowances, regular support groups, peer mentors for new carers, an out of hours support and advice line and a dedicated supervising social worker.

Barbara Corrie-McDonald had fostered for more than eight years with an agency before she joined Blackpool Council in November 2021. Barbara said:

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“I lost my mum suddenly to cancer 10 years ago and she had been a nurse. I worked in a high-profile job in senior management with lots of pressure and there was an opportunity for redundancy. I fancied a change and knew a couple of friends who had fostered so that’s why we applied to be foster carers. One of the most rewarding parts of being a foster carer is seeing what the children can achieve when they are given the opportunity. They have to have the opportunity to do it. Seeing the change in them and being happy is very rewarding."
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Cllr Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said:

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“The start of the new year provides the perfect opportunity to think about making a change so why not consider becoming a foster carer? There are many children and young people in Blackpool who need a loving family as they grow up, and it is such an enriching thing to do. Our foster carers often tell us it is one of the best decisions they have ever made so please get in touch if you feel like you could make a difference. We would also love to hear from anyone who has previously fostered with the council, foster carers taking a break from fostering and retired foster carers.”
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The friendly fostering team regularly holds drop-in information events throughout the year. The events in January are:

  • 12 January at Blackpool Sport Centre from 5.00 to 7.00pm
  • 19 January at Cafe Chicco, Solaris Centre from 12midday to 3.00pm
  • 26 January at Anchorsholme Park café from 1.00pm to 3.00pm

Find out more about fostering, or call 01253 420222

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