Help Give Children the Best Start
People are being encouraged to find out the facts on fostering this month as part of this year's Fostering Fortnight campaign.
The campaign, which runs until 28 May and is run by the Fostering Network, aims to raise awareness of the compassion and dedication of foster carers while also supporting fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ is looking for more people who can offer a stable, loving home to children - particularly those in sibling groups - who, for a variety of reasons, cannot be with their birth family.
An information evening will be held this Thursday (18th May) between 6pm and 7pm at the Market Place in South Shields for anyone interested in fostering.
One foster carer is South Shields woman Michelle Deeley.
Single carer Michelle is care experienced, having spent time in a children's homes and in foster homes as a child and is keen to give something back.
She said: "When I was 16 I was placed with the most amazing foster carer who I still call mam and is nana to all the foster children I have cared for.
"The fact that she gave me a chance made me want to give other children the same opportunity I had.
"As I have been in care myself I feel I have a different level of understanding compared to people who haven't had that experience and that enables me to connect with foster children well and empathise with them."
Foster carers can be married or same sex couples or single but must be aged at least 25. They are offered extensive support and training and receive an allowance to provide for the child in their care.
Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "Fostering is not without its challenges but it is also hugely rewarding. I would like to place on my record my thanks to our foster carers who play such an important role in giving our children and young people the best start in life and encourage anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch and find out how they can make a difference to a child's life."
Â鶹ÊÓƵ is always keen to hear from people interested in fostering. To find out more about fostering, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/fostering or contact the fostering service on 0191 423 8500 or email fostering@southtyneside.gov.uk