Are you ready for your biggest and most rewarding challenge?

A whole variety of skills are needed to make a good foster carer and without knowing it, you may already have lots of skills and experience that would help you on your fostering journey.

That is the message Buckinghamshire Council’s Foster with Bucks team is sharing with local people as it launches its new ‘If You Can…’ campaign. The aim is to encourage residents to think about whether they are up to the challenge of fostering.

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services explained: “No one comes ready-made to fostering but you may be surprised to find out that many of the skills that are helpful as a foster carer are ones that you may already have. Equally, much of the experience you have gained in dealing with other aspects of your everyday life can also be used in your fostering journey.”

The new campaign aims to highlight the skills and experience that can help in the role of a foster carer and the wealth of training and support available to their foster carers. Everyday skills such as patience, empathy and listening are valuable but what is important is that you can provide a stable and caring environment for a foster child.

Amongst other messaging, the campaign prompts:

• If you can show kindness and empathy…
• If you can listen without judgement…
• If you can be patient and stay calm under pressure…
• If you can wipe away tears and be there when they need you…
• If you can care…
• If you can protect…

…You could be a foster carer.

Anita continued: “Fostering can be a challenge, but it can also be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. By fostering with Bucks you are joining an inclusive, supportive and welcoming family, committed to providing the best care possible to our children. We will be with you every step of the way with training, advice and an extensive network of support. We truly care for our carers as we know what an important role they play and we value all that they do.”

Earlier this year Buckinghamshire Council introduced a unique package of benefits and perks for foster carers which sits alongside the existing training, financial support and other assistance offered. The generous new package includes a council tax refund, free access to leisure experiences, free parking in council car parks and much more. The package has been welcomed by existing foster carers who have said that the thought that has gone into developing the range of benefits makes them feel truly appreciated.

Buckinghamshire Council also offers an extensive range of training courses and development opportunities for new and existing foster carers. In addition to mandatory training there is now a wide programme of courses and sessions available on specific topics ranging from how to support your foster child with their homework to how to help children cope with anxiety and stress. Regular sessions for foster carers to get together to discuss experiences and learnings are also popular. Courses have been developed in close partnership with carers who have given feedback on what training they would like or find useful.

If you have ever thought about fostering, there’s never been a better time to join. Throughout the summer the Foster with Bucks team will be attending events across the county where people can stop for a chat and ask questions about fostering:

• Saturday 17 August – Wycombe Pride, High Wycombe
• Friday 23 August – Pride in the Park, Aylesbury
• Saturday 24 August – Live in the Park, Aylesbury
• Wednesday 28 August – Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Action Day, Chesham
• Thursday 29 August – Bucks County Show, Aylesbury

If you are not able to catch the team at these events and want to know more about joining Buckinghamshire Council’s foster care community, book your place on one of our free regular online Fostering Information Evenings or sign up to our newsletter.

For more information on fostering visit: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/campaign/you-could-foster/