Sefton Council celebrates Foster Care Fortnight 2023

It’s Foster Care Fortnight (15th – 28th May), the yearly celebration which raises awareness about how fostering can change a child’s future.

Sefton’s children need loving homes

Right now, there are just over 600 children and young people in Sefton’s care. With a national shortage of in-house carers, devastatingly some of these children are in unsuitable homes.

Sefton needs at least 15 additional carers by the end of the year, to meet the demand.

Appeal to local people

Sefton Council is appealing to local people to think about giving a child the love and stability they desperately need.

Councillor Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said:

“The people of Sefton and Merseyside are caring and friendly with warm open hearts. To feel loved and wanted is all a child needs to flourish and you could be that person to change their life.”

“If you’ve even thought about helping a child, take that step and find out more. We have an amazing network of carers who can give you first hand advice and our team are team are there to guide and support.”

Kathryne and Reagan’s story

Kathryne and her husband David have been carers for 12 years and have looked after over 15 children including babies, toddlers, and teenagers. Their journey began with 12-year-old Reagan.

Kathryne “Reagan was the first child we fostered. He came to us when he was 17 weeks old. We just fell in love with him and were so happy to be able to go on to adopt him.

“We continued to foster because it’s just amazing to keep helping so many children. Seeing them thrive is the best feeling in the world. When I look at Reagan, I think about how much he’s come on and I’m so proud of him and what he’s achieving.”

Reagan, who is also a talented budding musician, wishes more people would think about fostering.

Reagan said “I love that this family cares for me, its very heart-warming. People should really think about fostering. There’s lots of children who aren’t confident because they don’t have a family who loves them. When a child is fostered, it gives them back their confidence.

“I see a great future for myself. I already play in my school band, and I really want to do well in music. I know I couldn’t have done anything like this without them.”

Watch Kathryne and Reagan’s story here  

People of all backgrounds are welcome to foster

The Council welcomes people from all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. Couples, single people, disabled people and people from all cultures please apply.

There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer, but you must be over 21 and be a UK citizen.

Support, training, and payment  

Sefton Council is committed to offering support to our carers every step of the way. This includes specialist and peer support, training and an excellent financial package.

Meet our friendly team

Sefton’s fostering team and our carers will be out and about in Southport across the two weeks for a fostering ‘take over’. We’ll be talking to people about how they can join our ‘fostering community’.

Please come along and find out how you can do something amazing and change a child’s life.  We’ll be at :-

The Atkinson - Monday 15th – Tuesday 16th May 10 – 4pm

Southport Market - Saturday 20th May 10 – 3pm

Dunes Splash world - Monday 22nd - Tuesday 23rd May 10 – 3pm

Please find more details about our events here 

Anyone who is thinking about fostering can find out more by visiting the dedicated website at https://seftonfostering.co.uk/  

People can also speak to one of the team by calling our freephone number on 0800 923 2777 or email [email protected]