Council on lookout for more fosterers (From Thurrock Gazette)

Council on lookout for more fosterers

8:00am Saturday 12th January 2013 in News

THURROCK Council is urging residents to make their house a home and start fostering in 2013.

Foster carers working for Thurrock Council can receive up to £478 a week to foster a teenager, which includes an allowance for the child and a fee as a carer.

It is ideal for people who are looking to work from home, and is an opportunity open to people who are over 21 and have a spare room in their house.

Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, Cllr Oliver Gerrish, said: “Fostering is a way to make a real positive difference to a child's life, providing children and young people with a stable and loving home and the support and encouragement they need to flourish and do well.

“There’s no doubt it’s a challenging job, but many carers find it incredibly worthwhile and rewarding with the opportunity to undergo training and learn new skills.”

He added: “Foster carers do one of the most important jobs in Thurrock, they give children and young people the chance of a better future, becoming a foster carer is an incredible way to make a difference.

“There are a number of children in the borough who, for many reasons, are unable to live at home.

“There are few more rewarding things you can do than give them the care and stability they need.”

The fostering team will be on the main concourse on the first floor between Marks & Spencer and WH Smith at Lakeside Shopping Centre from Monday, January 28 to Sunday, February 3, to chat to people about the role.

Alternatively you can go online to thurrockfostering.gov.uk or call 0800 652 1256 / 01375 652624.