Wiltshire Council is asking “empty nesters” and those wanting a change of direction to consider fostering to help provide homes for the children and young people coming into care.

For some households September can mean a change in circumstances, such as children leaving for university or people wanting a change in career. The council is encouraging these people to consider fostering and help meet the demand for more people to foster with Wiltshire Council.

For those wanting to find out more or just ask questions there are a host of drop in events in September and also an online drop sessions to talk to other foster carers and hear about the training and support provided.

Wiltshire Council foster carers have been sharing their own stories of changing careers and having an empty nest to encourage more people to take the step.

Joeanne become a foster carer after being a primary school teacher. After helping support some young pupils one evening who she looked after while they found a foster carer to provide care for them she realised she could foster.

She said: “I stayed there until I think it was around seven, eight o’clock at night with them and we had dinner together and I went home thinking do you know what – I’ve got a three-bed house, I could probably do more for people and help out.

“So I went along to a question and answer session, found out some more information and then it kind of all rolled on from there. I did Skills to Foster (initial foster carer training course) and then got assessed and now I’ve been a foster carer for seven years.”

She explained the support available: “When I first started being a foster carer I was teamed up with a buddy. We met up a few times and we talked about what fostering was like and what it was like for me.. when I was making the decision to take on my sibling pair full time for long term, it was really useful to kind of have a conversation with her and figure out how it will work for me. Whether it’s something I could do. My social worker is really supportive can talk about anything with her, and obviously she’s quite experienced so she can offer a lot of advice and all the training that’s really accessible, really helps you.

“The advice I would give is go along to the sessions where you have a cuppa and find out more information. Talk to foster carers because there’s always one there you can speak to, and (grammar) in all honesty just do it because, you know, if you’ve got kids and you’ve taught them everything, it’s kind of very close, very similar, just slightly different with different experiences. And if you’ve got love to give then why aren’t you doing it now.” Fostering with Wiltshire Council – Joeanne – YouTube

Caroline and Cowan’s children grew up and moved out of the family home which gave them the opportunity to consider fostering.

Caroline said: “We currently care for two siblings, and our journey has been challenging at times but absolutely joyous at others. We have thoroughly enjoyed having the children living with us. They’ve expanded our family , we’ve watched them grow, we’ve watched them feel safe, we’ve watched them develop skills that they didn’t already have and now they flourish – I think that’s wonderful. It’s been great to watch.

Cowan added: “There’s been a lot of challenges the children we had were at various stages within their childhood, their growth and that’s been the biggest challenge trying to make the opportunities available for both with the differing ages. But the rewards have been massive because the bonds that they had built as children have continued and we’ve allowed that to flourish. Caroline and Cowan share what it’s like to be foster carers with Wiltshire Council

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “We are grateful to the many foster carers who provide a warm home and stable influence in our young people’s lives. Many children and young people have gone through trauma and difficulties and we are so fortunate that we can offer them a safe place to stay where they can heal and learn to trust again. By fostering with Wiltshire Council people can provide a home that is local for that young person and which meets their needs.

“We know there will be people out there thinking they want to know more, and I would encourage them to join our information session or give us a call, and we can discuss what it means for them and help people on that road to making a difference to one of our local children.”

Foster carers must be aged 21 or over and have a spare bedroom. Those fostering babies up to 12 months can use their own bedroom if space allows for a cot. Carers receive weekly payments ranging from £410 to £760 per child, depending on skills and experience, along with full training and ongoing support.

More information on becoming a foster carer for your local council can be found on Fostering South West’s website, www.fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org, or you can speak directly to a member of the recruitment team via 0300 456 0120, or info@fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk.

People can join a fostering drop in online session on Saturday 13 September from 4pm to 5pm by using this link – Join conversation It works best if you have downloaded Microsoft Teams first.

There are also drop-in sessions happening across Wiltshire with latest details on this link – Fostering events – Fostering with Wiltshire Council