A national social enterprise is calling on people across the Isle of Wight to consider ‘a rewarding career in fostering’.
A recent report has found 60% of people intend to make changes to their career as a result of the pandemic quarter of respondents plan to move jobs within three to six months.
Five Rivers Child Care, which has foster carers across the Isle of Wight, is encouraging those who are thinking about switching careers to consider applying to foster a child or young person.
The number of children needing foster care in the UK has risen by 36% in the last year.
Five Rivers Child Care is looking for individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds across the Isle of Wight who may be interested in foster care.
There are a number of fostering roles available that vary in terms of length of commitment including:
- Long-term foster carers – Carers who can provide comfort and stability to children and young adults who are unable to live with their families. Depending on individual circumstances, children and young adults can remain with long-term carers until the age of 18 or when they are able to live independently.
- Short-term foster carers - This can apply to an overnight stay or a period of a few months and is used when children or young people require time away from their birth families or existing care support.
- Emergency foster carers – Emergency foster carers help bridge the gap between foster placements or reunification with friends, family or returning home.
- Sibling group foster carers – Five Rivers Child Care aims to keep all sibling groups together where possible and is currently looking for more foster carers who have the space, time and resources available to be able to look after sibling groups.
- Parent and child fostering – Parent and child fostering involves fostering a new parent and their young baby to help develop and assess their parenting skills.
- Specialist fostering - If you have previous experience working with children with specific care requirements, be they special educational needs, medical needs or significant behavioural challenges, you could be perfectly suited to specialist fostering.
Commenting on the current need for foster carers across the Isle of Wight, Martin Leitch, head of fostering operations at Five Rivers Child Care, said:
“The pandemic has changed how people want to live their lives and has reminded us that life is too short to not do something you love. And with more people inspired by the pandemic, there is a renewed sense of life to help others and to be in a job that feels rewarding.
“We currently have a network of incredible foster carers across the Isle of Wight, but we’re looking for more people who have the potential to become great foster carers to support the rising number of children and young people taken into care.
“We’d like to encourage caring individuals, who may be revaluating their career situation because of the coronavirus pandemic, to consider a rewarding career in fostering.
“Fostering offers flexible working, a competitive fostering allowance and the comfort of working from home. There is no need for previous experience, and you may find that you have transferable skills from current or past employment that will be invaluable to you as a foster carer. We offer 24/7 support from qualified and experienced staff and a wide range of specialist training.
“We’re keen to hear from people who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy supporting others, as well as anyone who has questions about fostering and the variety of roles available.”
People from across the Isle of Wight, from all backgrounds and communities can be considered to become foster carers, but they must be over 21 years of age.
You can find out more about fostering with Five Rivers Child Care by attending a virtual event. Visit: www.five-rivers.org/fostering/
Five-Year Isle Of Wight Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Plan Unanimously Approved
More Islanders Cross The Solent With Wightlink’s Discounted Fares For NHS Appointments
Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance Funds Defibrillators For The Community
Isle Of Wight Council Budget Pressures Likely To Continue Following Autumn Statement
Council Approves Support Package To Help Islanders On Low Incomes
Isle Of Wight Councillor In Mental Health Priority Motion
Bird Keepers Urged To Remain Vigilant Following Increased Avian Influenza Risk
Island Pupils Receive Lesson In Road Safety That Could Save Lives
New Shanklin Flats Given Green Light
Joe Robertson Appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary For Shadow Culture, Media And Sport
Shanklin Company Making Nuclear Waste Sorting Safer, Greener And Cheaper
Five-Year Isle Of Wight Landscape Plan Decision On Horizon
Help Sought For Isle Of Wight's Struggling Small Businesses
Primary School Admissions For September 2025 Now Open
Island Families Invited To Take Tour Of St Mary's Special Care Baby Unit
Work To Sink Three Boreholes At Leeson Road Due To Finish This Week
Emergency Works Underway To Repair Shanklin Culvert And Prevent Flooding
New Strategy For Tree Care On Isle Of Wight
Public Spaces Protection Orders To Be Reinstated Across The Island
Who Is Your Island Tourism Hero? Red Funnel's Isle Of Wight Award Nominations Open For 2025
