Shopping For Quality | FCA Fostering News

May 15, 2008

During this year’s Foster Care Fortnight (May 12 – 25) the UK’s leading independent foster care agency has joined forces with Tesco in Chesterfield to set out its stall and boost the profile of fostering.

Under the theme ‘Shopping for Quality’ Foster Care Associates (FCA) has mounted a campaign to attract new carers who believe they have what it takes to become a foster carer. With the huge shortfall of carers currently around 5000* in the UK, FCA is hoping its joint initiative with Tesco will provide the platform to raise awareness of this dilemma.

The FCA campaign will encourage shoppers to dispose of their plastic carrier bags and replace them with new eco-friendly cotton bags provided free of charge by FCA to all Tesco shoppers. Leaflets giving a list of the qualities required to become a foster carer will also be available to anyone who is interested in taking up this rewarding career.

“We hope that by harnessing the support of a major retailer such as Tesco, we will not only highlight the need to find new foster carers within the local community but at the same time we are helping to reduce our carbon footprint by switching to eco-friendly carrier bags,” said Claire Holmes, FCA Yorks and Lincs recruitment manager.

“Being a foster carer isn’t an easy role but the rewards are enormous,” Claire explained.

“By including a list of qualities needed, such as a good sense on humour and a positive outlook, potential foster carers receiving an FCA bag can judge for themselves if they have the personal qualities needed to become a successful foster carers. We hope this will get people thinking and, if they have not considered fostering before, they may realised they have all the skills to bring to this rewarding role”.

FCA is the UK’s leading independent foster care agency with a network of 80 offices UK-wide. Working with 125 local authorities, the organisation prides itself on providing quality care in a family setting for over 2000 looked after children and young people. The organisation has a strong presence in Derbyshire having its regional headquarters based at Chesterfield with another 6 offices across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

With the current shortfall of foster carers at 5,000* nationwide, FCA is seeking to attract new carers who believe they have the commitment, determination and understanding to succeed in this role. Anyone who is interested in finding out more about fostering should call FCA on freephone 0800 082 225 or visit the website www.iwanttofoster.com