A new website to encourage people to become foster carers in the capital has been launched by the council.
The ‘Foster Me Foster Us’ site details how people can become foster carers, the benefits of taking in children and includes personal stories from carers and fostered children.
The website was developed after extensive research asking people what they wanted to see on the site. Information is now easier to find and there are separate fostering and adoption pages and a bigger focus on case studies.
The launch of the website co-incides with the latest drop in session to attract new recruits. The event is taking place between 5pm and 7pm at Waverley Court today where people can meet foster carers and social workers for an informal chat about fostering.
Councillor Paul Godzik, Children, Education and Families Convener, said:- “The website is really informative and gets across just how important fostering is for those children in the capital who need a loving home.
“There’s a real shortage of foster carers across Edinburgh and we’re hoping to encourage more people to consider becoming carers for children and young people.
“Fostering is a hugely rewarding and really important job as it benefits some of the most vulnerable children in our society, helping them build a bright and confident future.”
The ‘Foster Me Foster Us’ campaign is across the city and includes bus, taxi, billboard and bus shelter advertising as well as local media promotion.
Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can call the City of Edinburgh Council free on 0800 174 833 or visit the website www.edinburghfostering.org.uk
The Council’s foster care recruitment campaign recently won a major UK award. Foster Me Foster Us came out top in the ‘Best Efficiency Initiative’ at the Association of Public Service Excellence Awards 2013 last month.
The project has increased the number of approved foster carers in the city with a 55% increase in new carers registering in 2012/13.
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