Foster carers had a whale of a time, promoting the benefits of working with their local authority to foster, whilst exploring the open seas, aboard the El Galeon with the Blackwater Pirates.
On Saturday 27 May, Southend-on-Sea City Council foster carers took part in a pop-up event at Southend Pier to reach as many potential foster families as possible. The foster carers wanted to raise awareness of the urgent need for more local foster carers to help keep children near to familiar surroundings, answer any questions and disperse any myths about fostering.
Stella, has been a foster carer for four years and attended with the children she cares for to create awareness, promote fostering and encourage more people to be part of our fostering community.
She said: “Every child has a potential to achieve in a nurturing environment - if you think you could give a child this very rewarding opportunity, please get in touch with us and don’t let your preconceptions about who can and can’t foster stop you!”
While Debbie, who has been a foster carer for eight years, wanted to promote the strong fostering community in Southend, and the support that is always available.
Debbie said: “What a lovely time we had on Saturday a walk up the Pier to meet the Blackwater Pirates and it’s always so great to get together with other foster carers.
“At Southend there is a very strong fostering community, we are a support for each other, and importantly our children feel this sense of community and belonging. We often get together at support groups and events.
Graham, who has been a foster carer for nine years, added: “It was so great to be part of an awareness event to raise the urgent need for more foster carers at one of our city’s most iconic attractions and we all got to meet the pirates too!”
The team were also highlighting the additional benefits recently launched, as part of the council’s financial commitment to support our foster carers.
This includes:
- all Southend-on-Sea City Council in-house foster carers, who meet criteria, will receive 100% council tax exemption up to a band D, whether they live in and outside of our City
- increasing the weekly allowance for all foster carers by 10%
- simplifying fees into three categories: foster care, enhanced foster care and specialist foster care
Plus additional financial support during key moments in the child’s life, such as birthdays, prom etc and support from the Council in caring for our children.
Cllr Helen Boyd, cabinet member for children’s services, education and learning, said: “With lots of people flocking to the Pier over the weekend, it was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the difference fostering can make. We believe that it is better for children to stay close to their family, friends and in the same school, and the support and love of a foster carer can make a huge difference to their lives.
“So if you think you can make a difference, there is no better time to enquire. If you are thinking about fostering get in touch with the team to find out more about our new additional benefits and becoming part of our wonderful Fostering Community.”
To find out more about fostering for Southend-on-Sea City Council, please visit the website. Alternatively, to speak to one of the team call 01702 212938, or email in.
Photos of the event can be found on our Flickr page.