Author: Charlene Smith

As we begin the new year, Sefton Council is highlighting the need for more foster carers and asking people to really think about taking on this new rewarding challenge.

If you can give a loving, stable home to some of our most vulnerable children, you will be helping them to achieve their full potential by giving them the best start in life.

Applications are open to people from all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. Couples, single people, disabled people and people from all cultures are welcome. There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer but you must be over 21, have a spare bedroom and be a UK citizen.

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.

Cllr John Joseph Kelly, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding, said; “There is now more of a need to recruit new carers than ever before. For the first time, the number of children looked after by Sefton has tipped the 500 mark. Our in house foster care capacity is full and we need to recruit a least 20 more additional carers by the end of this year, in order to meet the current demand.

“Becoming a foster parent to a vulnerable child can completely turn their life around. I would urge anyone who has ever thought about it, to get in touch with us. It could be the best decision you ever make.”

Foster Carers, Yvonne & Carl said, “We really enjoy looking after the children we care for. Although sometimes it can be challenging, the rewards outweigh the challenges. The children achieve things they never thought they would, when you see the immense pride the children have in their achievements, however small, it does our hearts good.

“We’re not on our own, we get a tremendous amount of support from social workers. The children also get support from a team of people who take them out. The children look forward to this special time they have, and it gives us a little respite to recharge our batteries.”

To find out more about becoming a foster parent, you can visit our dedicated website https://seftonfostering.co.uk/ 

Or speak to one of the team on our freephone number 0800 923 2777

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Sefton Council has vowed to ensure pupils and staff are fully supported following the decision that Sand Dunes Nursery School in Seaforth will close this summer.

The nursery has faced financial challenges for several years and the governing body at Sand Dunes felt they had no alternative but to formally ask Sefton Council to begin a statutory consultation to close the nursery.

After carefully considering all the information, Cabinet, at its meeting on Thursday, January 10, took the difficult decision to approve the closure of Sand Dunes Nursery.

Councillor John Joseph Kelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding, said:

“I understand that this conclusion will be very upsetting for all those involved. It has been a very emotive time for everyone involved as it’s clear that it is a very much-loved nursery. I have been moved by the passion shown from parents and staff who have shown a huge amount of support for Sand Dunes remaining open.

“After spending a lot of time with the governing body and officers to explore every other option, there was just no other alternative to address the financial crisis the nursery is in. With no foreseeable increase in pupil numbers, increasing costs, and no way to balance the budget there was just nothing else that could be done.

“Our biggest priority now is to make sure parents are fully supported and that there will is no disruption to the education of the children who attend. I know that a small number of the children who go to Sand Dunes are vulnerable or have a special educational need or disability and we will make sure that their needs will be met when helping them to find alternative nursery places.”

To ensure everyone is fully supported when Sand Dunes closes on August 31^st 2019, a closure project group will be established to address the many issues associated with a school closure. Support will also be provided for parents seeking alternative nursery places.