Cumbria County Council’s Fostering Service has launched a new campaign to find foster carers who can welcome a vulnerable parent and their baby into their home, at a time when they need extra support and might otherwise be separated from their baby.
By caring for a parent and their child, the council’s aim is that the fosterer will use the skills acquired as a parent or carer to model positive parenting and give the family the best possible chances of staying together and flourishing.
Parent and child foster carers will work closely alongside social workers, health professionals and other agencies to give the parent and child the best possible chances of staying together long-term and having successful independent lives.
To be eligible, fosterers will need to have positive parenting or caring experience, a spare bedroom and to be at home full-time.
As a parent and child foster carer with Cumbria County Council, fosterers will receive training, support and a weekly allowance of £700.
Commenting, Cumbria County Council’s Fostering Service Manager, Claire Lloyd said: “Becoming a parent is one of the biggest challenges of our lives and it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re young and don’t have much support. By providing parent and child foster care, our goal is to support more local families to stay together.
“While not without its challenges, this type of fostering can be incredibly rewarding. As a parent and child carer, you will play a huge part in setting up a young family for a successful independent life."
