362 Children in Care in Central Bedfordshire Alone
Make next Christmas a family Christmas for a child in care in Central Bedfordshire
“Fostering helps keep children in their community, close to their friends and family, and as a Council we can provide great support and information for anyone who’s interested in becoming a foster carer.”
As the festive period gets under way, councils from across the region are asking people to open up their homes and hearts and make next Christmas a family Christmas for a child in care.
Across the East of England there are 7,000 children in care, including 362 in Central Bedfordshire alone.
Foster carers Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home. Their story features in a video from Foster East, talking about their fostering journey.
Bev was working at a police station when a two-year-old boy was brought in with his mum who had been arrested. As an experienced mother of five, Bev looked after the little boy in the police station until the small hours. There were no foster carers available, and the toddler had to be taken to a children’s home.
As Bev’s five children opened their presents on Christmas Day, she couldn’t stop thinking about how different this little boy’s Christmas was going to be and how much better it would have been for him to go to a foster family. She and her husband decided to find out about fostering with their local council.
Bev said: “Every Christmas we look back and think about how many children we’ve fostered since we realised what a difference our family could make. The best thing about being a foster carer is seeing a child’s confidence and happiness increase. That moment when a child looks back at you for reassurance – whether it’s riding a bike for the first time or tying their shoelaces – it’s so moving and rewarding.”
Cllr Steve Owen, Executive Member for Children’s Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “Christmas is a magical time for most children, but can be challenging for the children and young people who cannot safely live at home. As many of these children as possible live with amazing foster families, but as there is a shortage of foster carers, they can’t all have the family Christmas we want for our children.
“Children come into care for all sorts of reasons. Their parents may be taken ill, involved in an accident, might be arrested, or might not safely be able to care for their children. Children might only need care for a few weeks, but when there is no-one else available to look after them, foster families are essential.
“Fostering helps keep children in their community, close to their friends and family, and as a Council we can provide great support and information for anyone who’s interested in becoming a foster carer.”
119 foster families currently work with Central Bedfordshire Council, but the Council is encouraging more people to consider becoming a foster carer so that every child in care can live in a family home.
Foster carers can have their own children living at home, can have pets, own or rent their homes, work full-time or part-time, or foster full time. Foster carers must be over 21 years old, but there is no upper age limit. Foster carers can be single or couples and have children.
If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer, read more about what is involved at www.fostereast.org.uk or call Foster East on 0330 024 1177.
