Wiltshire Council urges people to foster and help keep brothers and sisters together

Wiltshire Council is urging people to consider fostering with the council and, where possible, take on more than one child to help keep brothers and sisters together.

The council is always needing new foster carers to provide warm and safe homes for young people needing care. In some cases, the children needing care have siblings and helping them to stay together can make a real difference.

Caroline and Cowan began fostering after their own children grew up and moved out, giving them the opportunity to open their home to children in need. Speaking earlier this year, they shared how fostering siblings has strengthened family bonds and transformed lives.

Caroline said: “We currently care for two siblings, and our journey has been challenging at times but absolutely joyous at others. We have thoroughly enjoyed having the children living with us. They’ve expanded our family, we’ve watched them grow, we’ve watched them feel safe, we’ve watched them develop skills that they didn’t already have and now they flourish – I think that’s wonderful. It’s been great to watch.”

Cowan added: “There’s been a lot of challenges. The children we had were at various stages within their childhood, their growth, and that’s been the biggest challenge—trying to make the opportunities available for both with the differing ages. But the rewards have been massive because the bonds that they had built as children have continued and we’ve allowed that to flourish.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We are grateful to the many foster carers who provide a warm home and stable influence in our young people’s lives. Many children and young people have gone through trauma and difficulties, and we are so fortunate that we can offer them a safe place to stay where they can heal and learn to trust again.

“Keeping siblings together is one of the most important things we can do - it helps maintain family bonds and gives children a sense of security during a difficult time. By fostering with Wiltshire Council, people can provide a home that is local for those children and ensure brothers and sisters can stay together and thrive. We know there will be people out there thinking they want to know more, and I would encourage them to join one of our information sessions or give us a call, and we can discuss what it means for them and help people on that road to making a difference to one of our local children.”

Foster carers must be aged 21 or over and have a spare bedroom. Those fostering babies up to 12 months can use their own bedroom if space allows for a cot. Carers receive weekly payments ranging from £410 to £760 per child, depending on skills and experience, along with full training and ongoing support.

More information on becoming a foster carer for your local council can be found on Fostering South West’s website, www.fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org, or you can speak directly to a member of the recruitment team via 0300 456 0120, or info@fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk. 

People can chat to the fostering team at upcoming events, including the Christmas Fayre on Thursday 4th December from 10 am to 4 pm at County Hall in Trowbridge. The team is also setting up a tree as part of participation in the Lacock Christmas Tree Festival at National Trust Lacock from Wednesday 26th November to Sunday 4th January.

People can also join a fostering drop-in online session on Saturday, 6th December, from 10am to 11 am by using this link - Join conversation. It works best if you have downloaded Microsoft Teams first.

There are also additional events coming up. For details, visit - Fostering events - Fostering with Wiltshire Council.