Sponsored Editorial

Have you ever considered being a foster carer but never knew who to ask or where to start?

This brilliant awareness campaign which involves Medway Council Fostering means that you can now easily talk to the experts in person and discover how you can really change the life of a child or young person.

Foster Care Fortnight 2024 is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care can really transform lives.

This important awareness drive will take place from Monday 13 May until Sunday 26 May and people in Medway will have the opportunity to meet the Medway Fostering Team, who will be out sharing information and looking for new foster carers.

Fostering Recruitment stands will be in Medway on the following dates and locations:
- 14 and 15 May: Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham
- 21 and 22 May: Dockside Outlet, Chatham

Fostering Team Manager Mercia Jackson has been working in kinship care, foster care and adoption for over two decades and has enjoyed plenty of fostering moments.

“We are calling on people in Medway to come along to our stands and see if they could make a difference in a child's life,” she said.

“I love working with people, I love making a difference in a child’s life. There is no greater reward than having a positive impact on the life of a child who has experienced loss, trauma, or adversity. Knowing that in some way I play a part in recruiting and preparing prospective foster carers will always be fulfilling.

“Knowing that I am helping foster carers to support and keep children safe and helping them to reach their full potential is incredibly rewarding. I also love working with our dedicated carers. Without them, I cannot do my job.”

Medway Council Fostering provides training and support to help empower foster carers with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their role, ensuring that they can provide the best possible care.

Although money should never be the motivating factor when it comes to foster care, many people can still feel uncomfortable talking or enquiring about the finances of fostering - something which Medway Council Fostering are very open to discuss.

Fostering offers a variety of income-based fostering placements to suit lifestyle and career options, whilst always putting the children first.

The rates and benefit packages are competitive and depend on the number of children you foster, the individual and needs of each child or young person and the type of fostering you choose.

But fostering isn't without its challenges as Ms Jackson explained.

“Our biggest challenge is recruiting new foster carers. The demand is outweighing the supply, and we continue to see a national shortage of foster carers. The need for foster carers has never been greater and we want more foster care families to join Medway's Fostering Service.

“We are committed to ensuring that the needs of both Medway carers and the children are met and strive to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved.”

Meanwhile, a special event for current foster carers of Medway Council Fostering will take place in May.

The Fostering & Supported Lodgings Afternoon Tea is in recognition of the dedicated contribution in the lives of children and young people everyday.

Click here to learn more about Medway Council Fostering and fostering in general.