Lots of our foster carers tell us they get so much out of fostering teenagers. Teenagers entering the care system have had a lot to deal with – many people think they are at fault if they are in care but that’s not how it is. Usually there are multiple reasons and they are there through no fault of their own.
Here is Jodie’s story…
Jodie’s 14 and she spent the day in the park – but then everyone went home. And for the first time Jodie stayed in the park on her own. She thought she’d rather sleep there, alone, than go home. Now that’s not right – but here’s how you can make a difference!
Perhaps you’ve worked with children or young people in a professional capacity or are you already a foster carer? Do you have the skills needed to deal with complex or challenging behaviours in children and young people? Then we want to hear from you!
We offer an excellent package of training and support, plus opportunities for development as well as tax free payments and allowances. For example, as a specialist foster carer with us you could receive over £34k per annum, based on a 52 week placement, child aged 11 – 15.
Or by offering a short-term emergency home to young people like Jodie, you can still help – and get great payments for every night you care. Young people like Jodie are out there right now. Be the one to make a difference for them!
Gill, one of our foster carers, says: ‘Don’t be concerned. There’s support there from the get-go. The teenager being fostered has a social worker but so do you – and they’re always there for you at the end of a phone whenever you need them’.
Making a difference to their lives is really important to all of us at Fostering North Yorkshire – to know they have broken out of the circle, that they will go on to be good parents to their own children, means the world to us.
Fostering isn’t just about providing a roof over their heads, but a home, a background and a family life. It’s so rewarding to see them grow up and move on in to the next phase of their lives.
Fostering North Yorkshire (FNY) is part of North Yorkshire County Council and its foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds and family make-up, but they all want to provide a secure and welcoming home for some of the county’s most vulnerable young people and give a teenager the best possible chance to turn their lives around.
As well as providing an essential service and getting huge emotional rewards in return, fostering with FNY also brings with it generous tax-free payments and allowances, and while this is not the main motivation for most foster carers, additional income streams can be very welcome.
For more information visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/fostering or call Fostering North Yorkshire on 01609 534654.
The Fostering North Yorkshire team