Learn more about fostering in Southampton from a local foster carer
What’s happening?
An information evening where you can learn more about fostering opportunities in Southampton and the surrounding areas.
When?
6pm to 8.30pm Thursday 13 June 2019
Where?
Hotel IBIS, 9 West Quay Road, SO15 1RA
Full details:
Have you ever considered fostering a child or young person in need, but have questions to ask before taking the next steps?
Come and meet our Southampton team over a cup of coffee to find out more about the incredible career as a foster carer and the opportunity to join an excellent team focused on making a positive change in children’s lives.
On Thursday 13 June, our South and South East team – which has received the Ofsted ‘outstanding’ judgement, one of very few in the region – will be hosting an information event at the Hotel IBIS, Southampton on West Quay Road and will be able to answer any queries you may have.
Sheron and Philip Barnes, two of our foster carers from Southampton, will also be there to share their first-hand experiences of what it’s like to foster.
Sheron and Philip became foster carers over 10 years ago, after their own daughter had grown up, having been inspired by Sheron’s own parents who fostered throughout her childhood and continue to foster today.
Throughout their fostering career, Sheron and Philip have fostered around 25 children on a mixture of long-term, respite and emergency care placements. Sheron and Philip have also undertaken specialist training to take on parent and child placements, which are usually a 12 week assessment where foster carers support parents to look after their child or children. In Southampton, there is a real shortage of specialist parent and child foster carers.
With a current shortage of 920 foster families in the South East, the need for foster carers like Sheron and Philip to support young vulnerable people is more pressing than ever.
If you would like to know more about how you can help, the personal and career benefits of fostering, or would just like an informal chat with our team, you are warmly welcome to join us on Thursday.
If you can’t make the event but would still like to find more information on foster care, call 0345 266 0272 or email carer.enquiries@five-rivers.org