‘I want a dad who will take me on adventures’: hard-hitting campaign launched to recruit foster carers in Northamptonshire

A hard-hitting social media campaign has been launched today by Northamptonshire County Council to raise awareness of the growing demand for foster carers in the county.
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There are currently 900 looked-after children in Northamptonshire and the county council is hoping to encourage more people to consider fostering a child with a new recruitment campaign.

The campaign involves a video which has already been viewed more than 6,000 times on social media and which features real messages from children in care talking about what they are looking for in a family.

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The quotes include ‘I want a dad who will take me on adventures’, ‘I want to be able to live with my sister so we can look after each other’ and ‘I want a family who accept me for who I am’.

The children are played by young actors from the Open Stage theatre group based in Northampton and by volunteers.

The social media campaign will be supported by bus advertising, banners displayed in prominent locations around the county and a series of open evenings and events.

Councillor Matthew Golby, county council cabinet member for families and education, said: “For children in care, it’s the little things that make a big difference, whether that’s having dinner together as a family, going to the park or simply having someone to talk to.

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“We hope this social media video will have a real impact as it comes from the voice of the child. The children in our care need a stable, loving home and they deserve the same opportunity to have a family life as every other child.

“I would encourage anyone who thinks they have what it takes to become a foster carer for Northamptonshire County Council to contact our fostering team to find out more.”

To become a short or long-term foster carer, people must:

* Have space and time in their life to care for a child

* Have a spare bedroom

* Be able to work as part of a team

* Be physically and mentally fit

* Have patience, flexibility, time and energy

Information about becoming a foster carer with Northamptonshire County Council is available by calling 0300 126 1009 or by visiting www.fosterme.co.uk.