Foster carers needed in Lancashire for older children and teenagers

Lancashire County Council are launching a new campaign to find loving, stable foster homes for children aged 10 and older across the county. We always need more foster carers who can look after children and young people of all ages, but there is an urgent need for foster carers for older children and teenagers.

We offer training, generous allowances and a comprehensive support package – and best of all, you could make a real difference to someone's life.

County Councillor Cosima Towneley said: "Fostering teenagers brings both rewards and challenges but it can be more straightforward and a lot more fun than fostering children who are younger - and the very real, long-lasting difference you can make to their life is very obvious and clear to see.

"Older children and teenagers are usually more independent. They are often in full-time education or training and need less practical care and supervision than younger children.

"These older children need guidance, care, and support just as much as younger children and their age shouldn’t get in the way of them receiving this, it's never too late to make a difference to a teenager’s life. There are no additional requirements to foster older children or teenagers. If you have the patience, time and space to care for an older child/teenager please enquire today."

Carol has been a foster carer with Lancashire County Council for 30 years and has fostered many older children and teenagers over the years. Carol said: "I have fostered over 100 children of all ages and from all different backgrounds. Every fostering experience brings its own rewards and challenges, but some of my stand out moments have been with the older children I have cared for.

"Seeing them thrive as they move into adulthood and independence, helping them find their passion in life and gain qualifications that take them a step further towards their dreams. I have loved supporting children to attend football, swimming, dancing and martial arts and some of the children I have fostered have gone on to gain apprenticeships which makes me so proud.

"Teenagers have a zest for life and a great sense of humour and if fostering older children is something you are thinking of doing I would say just give it a try, you might be surprised at how much fun it can be!"

Older children and teenagers who need foster carers require the safety and security of a caring, loving foster family. As a foster carer for Lancashire County Council you can help support a young person to achieve their goals and pursue their hopes and dreams.

You could support their achievements at school or college or guide them to study at university or further education; develop their hobbies and interests; teach them vital life skills like applying for their first job or managing their own money; and help them reach their full potential by setting them up for the rest of their life.

There's no typical foster carer and our carers come from many different backgrounds. Your personal qualities and what you can offer to a child or young person are what matter to us.

We’re looking for people who are patient, flexible, understanding, determined and keen to learn. To be eligible to foster, you must:
• be over 21 by the end of your assessment process
• have a spare room, for the sole use of a child you look after, or plans to have one soon
• have lived in the UK for the last 6 months
• speak, read and write English fluently, or be willing to develop this

Whatever your race, gender, sexuality, living arrangements, age and employment status we want to hear from you.
Foster for Lancashire and make every memory count. Enquire today at lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call 0300 123 6723