Calderdale Council is shining a spotlight on the amazing foster carers who have a life-changing impact on children and young people.
Friday 16 February 2024 is Care Day, the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience. This includes those who are or were cared for by foster carers.
This year’s Care Day is recognising care-experienced young people who have had a significant achievement, or who have contributed to their community. Fostering can help young people on their achievement journey by supporting them to thrive.
In Calderdale, like the rest of the country, there is a shortage of local authority foster carers to care for children and young people of all ages.
The Council regularly runs recruitment campaigns to encourage people to come forward as potential foster carers, emphasising that opportunities are open to all.
Cllr Adam Wilkinson, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:
“Fostering at Calderdale Council is not-for-profit, and our focus is on giving children and young people a safe and nurturing home.
“Children cherish the care that our brilliant Calderdale foster carers provide, as it helps them to learn and develop.
“We are looking for other people to join our foster carer community to help more young people achieve their best and stay in their local area near their friends, school and birth family. This supports our priority to reduce inequalities, to be a good corporate parent and to see young people be safe, happy, healthy and successful.”
Calderdale residents who foster through the Council receive a range of support and benefits, including a Council Tax exemption, generous financial support, discounts at local businesses, free membership at Council gyms and pools, access to training, support from their own social worker and other foster carers, and much more.
Glenda’s story
Glenda Jeffrey has fostered for Calderdale Council for 25 years. She says:
“My son and daughter grew up with me fostering and my daughter is a great source of support for me, especially when I became a single carer 10 years ago.
“We have always felt we have received the support, training and guidance we need from the Council.
“We concentrated on fostering teenagers for many years, and 20 years ago, we made the decision to foster a brother and sister aged 9 and 8. Life wasn’t always easy, but we grew to understand the children and them us. One of the children didn’t find school easy but worked so hard to achieve her goals and left with her GCSEs. She is very much still part of our family, and I am immensely proud of her achievements.
“Another young lady who I cared for over five years is now a wonderful mum, which again fills me with pride. Fostering can improve life chances for our children, and in turn, their children.
“I’ve faced many challenges but they’ve been overcome with support from the team around me – it’s all been worthwhile and I feel truly blessed to have been a foster carer for so many years and helped in some small way to change some children’s lives.”
Jo’s story
Jo Dye has been a foster carer for Calderdale Council since 2007, and encourages anyone looking to foster a child or children to get in touch with the Council. She says:
“We chose to foster because we knew we have the time and patience to help children heal and thrive. I also wanted to work from home so I could be there for my birth children before and after nursery.
“We decided to go with Calderdale Council because ultimately, they are the corporate parent. Our decision has proven to be the right one, as for over 16 years we have continued to be supported by the Council. Not only with our fostering journey but also with our personal journeys.
“Right now, the perks of fostering with the Council are better than ever. We take full advantage of the free Calderdale sports and fitness membership, with access to gym and swim and all classes, and no Council Tax to pay if you live in Calderdale.
“Our birth children were supported with a support group for children of foster carers, and all children (10+) have access to free, child-friendly training, which helps with their understanding of what a vital role they play in being foster siblings.”
To find out more about fostering for Calderdale Council, visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/fostering. The website contains lots of information about the benefits of fostering and the support available, and details of the process and commitment involved. You can also email fostering@calderdale.gov.uk, call 01422 266020 or find out more on Facebook at https://en-gb.facebook.com/foster4calderdale/(external link)
The Vision 2024 for Calderdale is to be a place where everyone can realise their potential regardless of their starting point. Becoming a foster carer with the Council supports this vision, and the kindness shown by foster carers helps to build a more resilient future. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday and there are just months to go. Visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision.