Who are the children and young people?
Children who need foster carers come from various different home environments and diverse ethnic backgrounds. They are likely to have experienced some trauma in their lives before fostering. We need placements for small babies and young children through to teenagers.
What they all have in common is that they all need a secure and protected environment in addition to care, kindness and stability. South Gloucestershire particularly needs foster carers for the following groups of children:
Older children and teenagers
Caring for any teenager has its ups and downs but for a young person who has had a distressing and unsettled childhood the teenage years may be especially difficult. Teenage years are when young people are finding their feet so, although it is challenging, foster carers can have a vital role in helping young people to prepare for adult life and develop confidence in themselves.
Sibling groups
Staying together with their sisters and brothers is very important to children who have had changes in their lives. South Gloucestershire always needs foster carers who can offer the time and space to groups of siblings.
Children with disabilities
Some looked-after children have physical or learning disabilities or a combination of special needs. Some children may have a life-threatening condition so their carers need to work very closely with a range of medical staff and other professionals. Foster carers are also needed to provide dedicated short break placements for children with disabilities. This enables their whole family to stay together whilst receiving invaluable support and much needed breaks.
Black and ethnic minority children
South Gloucestershire tries to place children in families that match, as closely as possible, their racial, religious, cultural and linguistic background. Therefore we need foster carers from all parts of the community in South Gloucestershire, in particular from the black and Asian communities.
Do the children and young people have contact with their birth families?
Yes. The amount of contact depends on the plan for the child. For some children it can be several visits in a week and it may take place in your own home. Children may also have regular telephone contact with their birth family. You will get support with these arrangements.