It’s a goal! Lancashire County Council joins UK wide campaign to recruit more foster carers during the World Cup

Twenty six local authorities from across the UK have joined Local Councils United – a new virtual team – who will share clips on each day of the World Cup and unique reasons why people should foster with their local council.

Each day of the World Cup football tournament one of the council's involved, will share a video with the “Help a young person achieve their goal” message.

The campaign brings together a united fostering community, to share with everyone why people should foster with their local authority.

Football teams, carers, young people and families will all be featured in the clips during the World Cup campaign with the hashtag #FosterWithYourCouncil2022.

Lancashire County Councillor Cosima Towneley, cabinet member for children and families, said: “We're proud to join forces with local councils across the UK to raise the profile and the importance of fostering and to highlight the amazing difference a great foster carer can have on a child’s life. Football, like fostering, brings communities together.

"In Lancashire, we urgently need more foster carers who can provide a safe, stable and loving home for local children and young people.

"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 most. We value the importance of creating inclusive and respectful fostering communities and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, genders, faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations and abilities.

"I'd also like thank our amazing and dedicated foster carers for their support and helping to change the lives of so many children in Lancashire."

The campaign kicks off on Sunday 20 November when the World Cup launches and Lancashire County Council's fostering team will be featured on Sunday 27 November.

The Lancashire film, which was filmed at Victory Park, Chorley FC's football ground, includes Lancashire foster carers and members of staff from Lancashire County Council's fostering team having fun on the pitch.

Lancashire's foster carers were also asked about why people should foster for Lancashire County Council.

Foster carer Nicola said: “Lancashire County Council have amazing training and support in place, not just for us as foster carers but also for the children."

Foster carer Julia added: "Lancashire County Council offer a foster carer academy and a mentoring scheme to always help and support you along your way."

Foster carer John said: "Lancashire County Council give great support, all you need to do anytime you have a challenge is to pick up the phone and there is always someone on the other end who knows exactly what you need to do and will help you."

If you are thinking about fostering and would like to find out more about fostering with Lancashire County Council, and the benefits and support on offer, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call the team on 0300 123 6723.

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/lancashirecc or Twitter www.twitter.com/lancashirecc to see our World Cup challenge video.

You can view the videos from the other participating councils at https://fosterwithyourcouncil.uk/local-councils-united/.