High Peak residents are being invited to find out how they could become a foster carer for Derbyshire County Council.

On Wednesday 23 February from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, the county council’s fostering team will be hosting an online Talk Fostering information event via Microsoft Teams to talk to potential carers and answer any questions.

Residents can just listen in from the comfort of their own home or ask as many questions as they'd like.

To find out more about the event, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fosteringevents

Councillor Julie Patten, DCC Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Safeguarding, said: “Whether you’re thinking about becoming a foster carer or are totally new to the idea, our Talk Fostering information events are a great place to start.

“Our friendly team will be on hand to talk to you about how you could change a child’s life and answer any questions you might have.

“Fostering is an incredibly rewarding role and we offer training, benefits and a competitive package of financial support.”

“If you can offer a stable, loving home for local children we’d love to hear from you.”

Anyone interesting in fostering can also find out more by visiting www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering or call the county council’s friendly fostering team on 0800 083 77 44.

Residents can also sign up to the council’s ‘all about fostering’ email bulletins at derbyshire.gov.uk/fosteringbulletins 

There are many different types of fostering opportunities with the county council which fit around work, family and different lifestyles.

Prospective foster carers receive ongoing support throughout the assessment process plus training, benefits and a competitive package of financial support once they are approved.

Foster carers do not need any special qualifications, they just need to:

• be aged 21 or over with no upper age limit
• have a spare room – or space in their bedroom for a cot for children aged up to two
• go through a few initial checks before they are assessed
• have some experience of caring for children, for example through working with them, through your family and friends or through volunteering.

Applicants from all backgrounds and communities are welcome (e.g. LGBT+, any ethnicity, race, culture and religion); single or in a relationship, married or civil partnership; you can be in work or not, and either rent or own your home.

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