Fostering service gets the go-ahead on new approach

Bury Council’s fostering team has been given an £80,000 cash boost in an invest-to-save measure which hopes to yield a half a million pounds worth of savings over the next three years.

Under the initiative, a new assistant team manager has been brought in whose sole purpose is to recruit new foster carers. Currently, if a placement cannot be found, Bury children are fostered by independent agencies. This can mean that Bury children have to be placed out of the borough, away from their families, schools and friends. The new team hopes to recruit new foster-care families based in the borough and surrounding areas.

Melanie Tunney, the service manager for adoption and fostering, said: “If we recruit more foster carers, not only will it generate savings, it will , more importantly, allow us to give Bury children Bury homes which is what they both need and want.”

The new team, which also includes a new social worker and recruitment officer, will be looking for residents who have a passion for seeing children and young people reach their full potential, no matter what their start in life and are prepared to open their homes to make that a reality.  Foster carers must have “stickability” to support children and young people through thick and thin and provide stability through what can be an unsettling time.

Foster carers can specify what age group and gender of child or teenager they will look after, and have their own fostering supervising social worker to support them through the journey. The council is looking for both short and longer term foster carers, and respite foster carers.

Melanie added: “It is particularly challenging to find foster homes for teenagers, and groups of siblings, so if you have room in your heart and your home, please give the team a call now on 0161 253 6868 or visit our website at www.bury.gov.uk/fostering”

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 November 2012.