Hello – we’d like to tell you about the new film made by Fostering North Yorkshire.
Called Fostering Teenagers, Changing Lives, the film challenges the myth that fostering teenagers is difficult. It features some of North Yorkshire’s most skilled foster carers and some of the young people who have experienced life in the care system at first hand. They acknowledge how much they have benefited from the people who have been there for them.
Fostering North Yorkshire (FNY) is part of North Yorkshire County Council and has an impressive record of placing the children and young people in its care with local foster families. More than 300 children are looked after by the county’s foster carers every year. These foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds and family make-up, but what they all have in common is their desire to provide a secure and welcoming home for some of the county’s most vulnerable children.Member for Children’s Services.
The film is full of inspirational moments – with FNY’s foster carers saying how much fostering means to them and how much support and encouragement they receive from FNY. There are very moving remarks from some of our young people as well.
Vicky, one of FNYs care leavers who’s gone on to make a successful career for herself in a hair salon, tells us that foster care has brought the best out of her, while Jamie says that he’d like to introduce a child in care ‘to a family like I’ve got’.’
The young people FNY looks after come from North Yorkshire, so anyone joining the FNY team knows that they will be giving a local teenager the best possible chance to turn their lives around.
And, as well as huge emotional rewards, fostering with us also brings with it generous tax-free payments and allowances, and while this is not the main motivation for most foster carers, additional income streams can be very welcome.
A Fostering North Yorkshire accredited carer receives over £300 per week – around £16k per annum for a child aged 11 – 15. For more information visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/fostering or call Fostering North Yorkshire on 01609 534654.