People living in Monmouthshire are being urged to consider fostering in 2021. The council’s recruitment call comes after a difficult year, with the impact of widespread job losses and many people revaluating their careers.

The council’s fostering team are calling on anyone who might be looking try something new and who can offer a safe and loving home for the county’s most vulnerable children and young people to get in contact. Recruitment of foster carers has remained one of the council’s top priorities throughout the pandemic, with the ongoing need for children who are looked after to be placed with local families.

Monmouthshire’s foster care team are looking to hear from people from a range of backgrounds who are able to offer a home to children and young people of all different ages and needs. The council is specifically seeking people who can look after teenagers, therapeutic carers, respite carers, emergency carers, sibling groups and children with additional needs. Most importantly, the team are looking for people who can be positive role models and give a child or young person support, encouragement, a sense of belonging and make sure they feel safe and secure.

Successful applicants will be offered local support and training to complement the high standards of care provided by the county’s foster carers. There is also a fostering allowance to cover the costs of looking after a child.

The impact of COVID-19 has meant Monmouthshire’s foster care team have had to recruit differently. This has seen the team offering virtual meetings and chats, with online ‘Foster Five’ sessions being held for anyone wanting to find out more about fostering with the council. It is hoped the new recruitment offers, such as the virtual home visits, will encourage more prospective foster carers to get in contact to begin their fostering journey.

Cabinet Member for Safeguarding, Social Care and Health, Cllr Penny Jones said: “Following one of the most challenging years in a generation, our call for kind and caring people to consider fostering with Monmouthshire couldn’t be more important. If you’re someone who might be looking for a career change and are wanting to do something rewarding, you will not only change your life but also the lives of our children and young people who desperately need a safe home. I would urge anyone who might be thinking of fostering to pick up the phone to find out if it could be for you.”

For further details text Foster to 60060, visit Monmouthshire.gov.uk/fostering, email foster@monmouthshire.gov.uk or telephone 01873 735950.