New campaign featuring foster parents encourages more foster families to come forward in Doncaster

Fosterplus which provides fostering services in Doncaster, is launching the campaign which highlights the raw and real-life experiences of fostering to empower more foster

families to come forward.

According to the latest statistics released by Ofsted at the end of March 2020, 56,500 children were in care, a three per cent increase compared to the 2019 figures. As a result,

foster parents are needed now more than ever to care for vulnerable children.

The #ConversationsWithCarers campaign features a series of recorded video calls where foster parents discuss their different fostering experiences, giving an open and honest

account of how fostering has impacted their lives.

Jenny Huggins, registered manager for Fosterplus commented: “The #ConversationsWithCarers campaign is an honest and endearing way to get to know some of our many

amazing foster families at Fosterplus.

“There’s never been a better time for individuals and families to provide new beginnings for many children, who desperately need a loving and safe environment. We are hoping

the campaign will encourage more people to come forward and consider a rewarding career in fostering.”

One couple who decided to foster was Lisa and her husband Andy, who explained how the decision changed their life:

“We have had all of this extra time together during the pandemic, which has meant that we have been able to get to know the boys that bit better. The boys have been loving the

time and attention and that is great to see from our perspective.”

Andy explains that when the boys first arrived, the brothers had a difficult relationship: “When the boys first came, they didn’t have much of a brotherly bond, but we have been

teaching the boys to recognise that they are brothers and to look after each other.

“There are good days and bad days of course, that is fostering, but it’s building that relationship between the brothers that we just love to see.

“We think the reason that they have developed so quickly into more relaxed, happy children in only two months, is down to the consistency and boundaries that we have implemented into their lives. They’re now two caring, happy, young boys.”

Andy and Lisa believe it is the support they have received from Fosterplus that has been the difference: “There’s always someone available to help us where needed and for that we are so thankful. We had regular phone calls at the very beginning to see how we were doing and if we needed any advice.

“The matching process at the beginning was great and we were matched so well with the boys. Fosterplus have spent so much time and effort on matching us with the right

children and have done extensive research to make this experience great for us.”

Fosterplus is an independent fostering agency who currently take care of children across England and Scotland. During the coronavirus pandemic, Fosterplus has adapted to

provide virtual support to their existing and prospective foster parents with home visits and assessments now being conducted virtually.

For more information about becoming a foster parent, call the friendly team on 0800 369 8512 or please visit www.fosterplus.co.uk/offices/doncaster/

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