Council Behind Foster Carers' Year-Long Effort to Establish New Association

The Council is delighted to be supporting foster carers as they launch the Sefton Foster Care Association.

The views of our carers are invaluable and their experience means they are well placed to find solutions to challenges and to help the service implement changes.

The association will play an important role in helping to shape policies and practice, highlight where change may be needed and offer solutions.

As members of the association, foster carers will also represent the service on a national level by attending forums across the region.

Here they will be invited to talk about issues carers and young people face, and to share their innovative ideas and best practice.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children Social Care said:

“I’m so happy that our foster carers have decided to establish the Foster Care Association and they have Sefton Council’s full support.

“It’s so important that the organisation work together with foster carers as their views are extremely valued. We will continue to listen to carers as they support our policy making and decisions which bring better outcomes for our children and young people. The association solidifies our working relationship and creates that clear line of communication.

“Setting up an association isn’t easy, and our carers have worked hard on this for over a year. We’ve given some support and guidance, but they should take full credit for this success. Our carers our amazing people and this just goes to show how dedicated they are to improving the lives of young children.”

Christine has fostered with Sefton for five years and is part of the group of carers who led on establishing the association. Christine said:

“At Sefton the carers are all really close. We are like one big family, so it’s great to come together to launch the Foster Care Association. This means we have more authority to have a say in the decisions that affect us and the children we look after.

“It’s not just about making foster carers views heard. The children tell us what they want, so it’s our responsibility to make sure their voices are heard. They are at the heart of everything we do.”

The Council is committed to offering support to carers every step of the way. This includes specialist support, training, and an excellent financial package.

If you would like to find out more about fostering with Sefton Council, please get in touch today.

Visit our website - seftonfostering.co.uk  and make an enquiry or call our freephone number on 0800 923 2777.