Sponsored post from Excel Fostering

Why foster?

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We are all currently living through unprecedented and uncertain times, but one thing that is for certain is the need for foster carers. Being in lockdown has given people time to reflect and review their lives, their values, and their goals. 2021 could be the year you take on a career that fits around your home lifestyle and allows you to make a difference to others.

There is no experience quite as rewarding as providing a safe and secure space and essential care services to children and young people in need. As a professional foster carer with an independent fostering agency such as Excel, you’ll be making a real difference by helping children to develop, grow and reach their full potential.

Maybe fostering is something that you have already considered, or perhaps you never had before reading this. It is estimated there are around 80,000 children in the UK who are currently in care, including over 2,000 in the Lancashire area alone*. There has never been a more crucial time for more foster carers.

Unfortunately, many people believe that they can’t foster because of certain myths such as having pets, renting their home, being single or LGBTQ+ and having a disability. However, that’s not the case and the chances are you would meet the criteria and we are here to help you, help them.

Why Excel fostering?

Here at Excel Fostering, we believe that as a foster parent, you are a professional – so we will always treat you as such. All of our foster carers receive a weekly allowance. Not only is this there to help cover costs of caring for the child in your care, but also as a reward for working hard and dedicating yourself to helping vulnerable children and young people, who for whatever reason, have had to leave their families. You can find out more about the fostering allowance, here.

In addition, one of the strengths is our experience in understanding the needs of children and young people in placement and what foster parents can benefit from in terms of training and support.

We have a range of courses aimed at equipping potential carers with the tools and skills needed to be the very best foster carer they can be. Our desire is to provide whatever is required that can help the foster carer to cope with any obstacles in their path.

Furthermore, our team of social workers and support staff will also be on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days (yes, even at Christmas!) to advise and guide you – as a foster carer with Excel Fostering, you’ll never be working alone.

You can find out a little more about our training and support, here.

Foster carer Diane said: “I would recommend Excel to my friends and family and I have done. I have recommended a few friends to Excel. I think their training is fantastic and their support is wonderful.”

You can read Diane’s full story here.

We’re looking for loving and dedicated people to join our team and help make a difference to young lives in the local area. If you are 21 years of age or over and have a spare room, you could apply to foster with us.

Feel free to visit www.excelfostering.com for further information about fostering, or alternatively, give us a call on 01253 712 734 and we’ll be more than happy to help.

*Figure is from the Children looked after in England, including adoption: 2018 to 2019 report.