Foster carers asked to lobby in local elections

With local council elections taking place in Scotland, Wales and parts of England on Thursday 3 May, the Fostering Network is calling on foster carers to get involved and lobby their local candidates.

Over the next few weeks, candidates will be busy campaigning in their communities and foster carers are being urged to talk to them about fostering and the needs of the children they look after.

All local councillors have a legal responsibility for all children in the public care of the authority and the Fostering Network has picked out four key questions for foster carers to put to them in the run up to the election.

If you were a councillor how would you:

1. Ensure foster carers are supported and trained to help vulnerable children and their families?
2. Ensure foster carers are properly paid for the work that they do?
3. Ensure foster carers are given responsibility for making day-to-day decisions about the children they care for?
4. Address the shortage of foster carers locally?

Foster carers are also being encouraged to raise any other fostering issues specific to their area where they feel local councillors need to take action.

Vicki Swain, campaigns manager at the Fostering Network, said: “This is a major opportunity to ensure that as many candidates as possible, from all parties, understand and value foster care.

“We want all candidates to know that caring about fostering and the needs of children in care are vital to their election, and foster carers are the key to them getting that message.”

For more information contact Vicki Swain via vicki.swain@fostering.net

For further details about the elections visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

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