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Young People

Sefton listens to the views of children whose parents foster

22 October 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized, Young People

Throughout October Sefton has been celebrating Sons and Daughter Month. This is an annual campaign to recognise and say ‘thank you’ to the children of fosters carers for the important work they do in welcoming vulnerable children into their home.

In the lead up to Sons and Daughters Month, Sefton listened to children from fostering families who spoke about how fostering impacts their life, the challenges that growing up in a fostering family brings and the benefits it has.

The children told us;

They explained that the extra rules, lots of visitors to the house could be hard. The biggest impact was seeing their parents time and attention divided.

Some children described the ‘buzz’ of meeting new children and how it brought their family closer;

Cllr Mhairi Doyle MBE, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“It’s so important for us to recognise the vital role that children of foster carers play in helping vulnerable young people. Thank you to all those who shared their thoughts and feelings with us. Listening to your voice is key in helping us to continually improve and shape the service to ensure that it benefits children in our care and foster families.

“Our Sons and Daughters really are a testament to our foster carers as they welcome many children who may be scared or unsure, into their homes, make them feel safe and secure and help them settle in.

“If you are thinking about fostering and you already have children, please don’t see this as a barrier. Sefton involves the children of foster carers every step of the way and do all that we can to make them feel valued. Our carers with children tell us how fostering has many benefits in enhancing their life and bringing them closer together as a family unit.

Angela Sitoe Sefton Fostering’s Training Development Officer, conducted the survey and said:

“I was bowled over reading the children’s experiences and by how generous and welcoming they are.  It is clear this can be difficult at times. Thanks to all who support the children in our foster families to be open, loving and where possible make life long connections.”

Sefton’s Foster Carers receive full training and support, plus payments for their skills and allowances. Anyone who is thinking about fostering can find out more by speaking to one of the team. Get in touch on our freephone number 0800 923 2777

People can also find out more on our dedicated website https://seftonfostering.co.uk/ 

Sefton’s Fostering Team put their best feet forward to take part in a national TikTok challenge

29 July 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Young People, Your Sefton

Sefton Council’s Fostering Service have put on their dancing shoes and taken on the ‘Jerusalema Dance Challenge’.

The challenge originated as a TikTok video, but it went viral last year and is now a global sensation.

Fostering teams all over England are now taking part in the dance which is creating a wave of awareness across the country about fostering and the vital role it plays in so many children’s and young people’s lives.

Northumberland’s Foster Care team kicked…or danced off the challenge in May and other local authorities including Sefton, followed in their footsteps.

Lisa Lyons Interim Executive Director of Children Social Care and Education said; “Dance has a great way of bringing people together and the ‘Jerusalema Dance Challenge’ is a perfect example, so we are delighted to take part in the challenge for one main purpose.

“The song behind the dance means ‘go with me, protect me and take me home’. I think this is something with resonates with the role of a foster carer as someone who opens their home to a child or young person to protect and take care of them, longer term or preferably until they can go back to their family home.

“This challenge is a really fun way to celebrate foster care and raise awareness about the need for more local people to help our children and think about fostering for Sefton.”

Click here to watch the Sefton Fostering Team’s ‘Jerusalema Dance Challenge’.

Sefton’s Fostering Service #Jerusalemachallenge – YouTube

To make an enquiry or find out more please visit www.seftonfostering.co.uk or call free on 0800 923 2777.

Council staff and carers go into the community to get people on board to foster for Sefton

21 May 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Young People

Council staff, foster carers and their families braved the elements yesterday (Thurs 20th May) and embarked on a mission to encourage anyone who is thinking about setting sail on a new life, to become a foster carer for Sefton Council.

As part of Sefton’s Foster Care Fortnight celebrations, members of the fostering community climbed on board the ‘Pride of Sefton’ to spread the message that the Council needs more local people to give a loving and stable home to vulnerable children from the Borough.

Lisa Cummings Service Manager for Sefton’s Fostering Service said:

“Nothing stopped us celebrating Foster Carer Fortnight on the ‘Pride of Sefton’ today. The weather was wild but we she still wanted to get out in the community and spread the word.  Thank you to Sovini who helped us by donating today’s sailing and to the ‘Pride of Sefton’ crew who did an amazing job.

“Fostering is not just about these two weeks. All year round we want to show our carers that we value them and send a message for people to come on board with our amazing team and support network and become a foster carer for Sefton”

Taking in the beautiful sights of Liverpool’s waterways, foster carers Sue and Derek said:

“Coming out in this awful weather proved just how much fostering means to us because it doesn’t matter what the weather or the situation, you just want to get out there and spread the message that these children need our help.”

“Anyone who has given fostering even the slightest consideration should really go for it because it’s changed the world for us.”

Dave is a Placement Support Worker at Sefton and was also part of the crew who regularly takes children who are fostered for days out on ‘The Pride of Sefton’. He said:

“I’m so glad that we can use the ‘Pride of Sefton’ as part of our recruitment campaign. People all around can see our sign and our details so it’s another way of getting the word out there.

“The boat has so many uses as the children love it when we bring them on and sail down the river and in and out of the locks. Bringing them together allows them to speak to other children who are in a similar situation as them. This helps to build their confidence while they’re having fun.”

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

To make an enquiry or find out more please visit www.seftonfostering.co.uk or call free on 0800 923 2777.

Sefton Celebrates Foster Care Fortnight

10 May 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Sefton Council, Young People

It’s Foster Care Fortnight! Sefton Council is urging local people to ask themselves whether they could give a loving and stable home to a child by fostering for Sefton.

Running from Monday 10th to Sunday 23rd May, Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest fostering campaign. It also gives us the opportunity to say a big ‘Thank you’ to the whole of our fostering community for all their hard work and dedication during what has been such a difficult time.

In line with this year’s theme #WhyWeCare, we will be sharing video’s which include people from our fostering family, talking about “Why We Care”. The celebration will also include a virtual event for our fabulous carers to get together and win some brilliant prizes donated by local businesses.

On the 20th May, we’re on the move with our campaign as our carers, care leavers and staff climb on board the ‘Pride of Sefton’ canal boat, to take a journey along Liverpool’s waterways from Stanley Dock at the Titanic to the Mann Island, spreading our message as we go.

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson says, “I would like to say a massive ‘Thank you’ to our dedicated foster carers who are doing an amazing job in making sure our children are supported emotionally and educationally and to our staff who are with our foster carers every step of the way.

“I have some personal experience as my mother grew up in care and said the turning point in her life was when she was fostered at 12 years old. She went on to have a fulfilled and successful life and says she owes a lot of that to her foster parents.”

Sue and Derek are a couple, but Sue has been fostering for 18 years and Derek is newly approved. Sue says. “I see the impact I’m having when children become happier and relaxed. They begin to see a future and develop ambitions and goals. It’s a great feeling when you know you’ve made a difference.”

Derek says, “I fell in love with Sue and with fostering and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. With guidance from the team, the recruitment process was straight forward. If you’re thinking about fostering please go for it, it’ll be the best thing you’ll ever do”

Sasha, now in her twenties, was fostered when she was 8 years old when her parents’ relationship broke down and they were unable to care for her.

She says, “I want to help raise awareness about fostering and let people know that being loved and having a sense of belonging can turn a child’s life around. I hope I am an inspiration to other children in care because with my determination and support I went on to get 3 degrees at University and see a great future for myself. Without this support I really don’t know where I would be.”

Sefton Council is looking for volunteers who can support children and young people in making their voices heard

1 April 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Young People, Your Sefton

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people in care?

Could you support a young person to have their say in decisions made about them, help them to understand their rights and challenge anything they are unhappy with.

If you could spare a couple of hours a month to volunteer as an Independent Advocate, we would love to hear from you.

The purpose of our independent advocacy is to:

  • Assist and support children and young people to speak out/speak up for themselves
  • Ensure that the young person’s voice is heard and listened to.
  • Help children and young people to understand decisions that have been made about their care
  • Assist children and young people to understand their rights and the services that are available to them.

As a volunteer, you will receive:

  • Initial training including Independent Advocacy, Safeguarding and Children’s Social Care
  • Ongoing supervision and support
  • Access to free specialist training relevant to your role
  • Reimbursement of expenses (including travel)
  • Skills and Experience to assist with future job opportunities

Our Independent Advocates will usually support young people at appointments / meetings during office hours, therefore we particularly welcome interest from volunteers who are available midweek (any days Mon-Fri).

For more information Contact Cheryl Yates, Independent Visiting and Advocacy Officer:

cheryl.yates@sefton.gov.uk 0151 934 4167 / 0771843282

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