Finding resilient foster families for some of the most vulnerable children in the West Midlands is at the heart of a new venture – the Big Fostering Partnership.
The partnership consists of Staffordshire County Council and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, the National Fostering Group and Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of the Big Issue Group.
The approach will help attract long-term caregivers for children between the ages of seven and sixteen who are currently living in children’s homes.
Many of the young people lived in different locations before living in a children’s home and may have experienced trauma and as a result have difficulty building relationships. By securing resilient foster families with the right skills, experience and support, the partnership will help young people reach their full potential. Once a young person has been identified, the partnership will use their national network of carers to find potential foster families.
Helen Riley, assistant manager and director of families and communities for Staffordshire County Council, said:
“We have built a wonderful network of caregivers who can provide stable homes for the majority of the children who come into our care. However, we need more specialized foster families who can support these children with additional needs during the most difficult phases of their lives. This partnership offers another way to meet the needs of the children we care for.
“Research shows that the stability of a family environment can help children reach their full potential. And while home care is absolutely the place to be for some children, we also know that for others, having a foster family will better meet their needs now and in the future.
“By working with our partners, we can share our strengths and experiences in order to bring these children into the right family as quickly as possible. When we have access to a larger pool of carers, we can often bring a young person together with a family that we have not been able to have in the past. “
Helen Riley, associate director and director of families and communities at Staffordshire County Council, the Lead Council.
Richard Woodward, Director of Strategy for the National Fostering Group, said:
“We are proud to be the founding partner of The Big Fostering Partnership. It was fantastic to work so collaboratively and to use the experiences and strengths of each organization to develop this innovative approach. Now that we have already succeeded in supporting young people in caring for families in the pilot phase, we are looking forward to everything that we will achieve together for young people in care in the coming months and years.
“One of the first young people to move into foster care during our pilot phase said, ‘It’s really good. More relaxed than before and I have more freedom. Our relationship is like a mother and a son – I feel at home. “
Sergio Sanchez, Investment Manager at Big Issue Invest, said:
“We are very excited to be part of this partnership that aims to improve the lives of children by providing them with stable, high quality internships for families. The partnership is the culmination of months of collaboration and is based on a results-oriented approach that puts the child first. We are particularly pleased that the children selected for our pilot project will continue to be cared for by families. “
Although The Big Fostering Partnership was founded in the West Midlands, it is already talking to other authorities from across the country interested in joining the partnership.
The Big Fostering Partnership is funded in part by the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport’s Life Chances Fund.
To learn more about how to become a caregiver for The Big Fostering Partnership, visit www.bigfosteringpartnership.co.uk or call 0330 0229135.