Doncaster couple call for more people to consider fostering

A Doncaster couple are calling for more people to consider a career in fostering, at a time when there are a record number of children in the care system.
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As part of Foster Care Fortnight, to May 24, Maxine and Wayne Calladine, from Barnburgh, are hoping by sharing their story as foster parents they can encourage more people to take up a career in foster care.

A report earlier in the year showed that there are a record 78,150 children in care and in Yorkshire and the Humber area alone 910 new foster carers are needed to meet demand and help provide a safe home to vulnerable children and young adults.Maxine, aged 50, a full-time foster carer, and her husband Wayne, 58, who owns a roof tiling business, have provided a caring home for 14 children in their five short years as foster carers.

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Initially inspired into foster care because Maxine’s own mother was adopted as a baby, the couple have now helped several groups of brothers and sisters transition into adoption with their forever families, as well as offering a short-term home for others.Maxine and Wayne have three children of their own, 36-year-old Wayne, Aimee, 31, and Jack, 19.

Maxine and Wayne Calladine from Barnburgh are hoping by sharing their story as foster parents they can encourage more people to take up a career in foster care.Maxine and Wayne Calladine from Barnburgh are hoping by sharing their story as foster parents they can encourage more people to take up a career in foster care.
Maxine and Wayne Calladine from Barnburgh are hoping by sharing their story as foster parents they can encourage more people to take up a career in foster care.

Both Wayne Junior and Aimee have young children, making the couple grandparents to Sydney, five, three-year-old Chester, Tommy, five, and two-year-old George.

Maxine said: “Grandma and grandad couldn’t have their own children, so they adopted my mum and she was everything to them.

“Because of this, it’s always been in my nature to want to give children the nurture that they need.”Maxine decided to go ahead and start the process of applying to foster in 2014.

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Coincidentally, a friend of Maxine’s was also going through the application process at the same time.

They began looking at options together and, after a short period with another independent foster company, Maxine and her friend were both approved to foster with Five Rivers Child Care, which has an office at Heather Court, Shaw Wood Way,Doncaster.Stephanie Todd, Five Rivers team manager, said: “Maxine and Wayne are amazing examples of foster carers who have created a loving and welcoming home for children and youngsters in need.”

Call Five Rivers on 0345 266 0272 or see five-rivers.org