Southend Mayor to commend local foster carers
By Rachel Charman
Mayor Brian Smith will honour Southend’s foster carers at a special ceremony tonight at the Park View Suite, Chalkwell.
Mayor Smith will present 24 foster carers with certificates and tokens to recognise and reward their dedication to local children in need of care.
Cllr Roger Hadley, who is responsible for Children and Learning, said: “We are very proud indeed of our tremendous group of foster carers in Southend who work incredibly hard to help our looked after children develop and flourish.
“We really appreciate the magnificent efforts they and their families continually make throughout the year, sharing their hearts and their homes to help transform the youngsters’ lives.
“Between them, these particular 24 foster carers have given an awe- inspiring 114 years of service to looked after children.
“We are always looking for more people to take on the rewarding and exceptionally worthwhile role of being a foster carer.”
Currently, Southend Borough Council’s Children and Learning department is responsible for 300 looked after children, 240 of whom are in foster placements.
The council has 100 foster carers but is calling for more, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, or who can offer a home to groups of siblings, children with disabilities and teenagers.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, go to www.southend.gov.uk/fostering, contact fostering@southend.gov.uk or 01702 354366.
