Suffolk Fostering Service launches first in a series of fostering recruitment campaigns
Suffolk County Council’s Fostering Service will launch a series of campaigns over the coming months to encourage more Suffolk residents to become foster carers. 820 children currently live in care in Suffolk and there is an urgent need for more people to come forward to foster. Suffolk Fostering Service is the longest established provider of fostering services in the county, offering competitive fees, 24-hour support services and up to 21 days paid leave per year. Teenagers in care have often gone through a great deal in their lives and this campaign aims to give an honest reflection of what it takes to be a foster carer and the rewards that can come as a result. The campaign is accompanied by a new promotional video providing an insight into what it takes to be a foster carer for teenagers and the positive difference they make to a young person’s life. The video addresses why the application process can be timely and thorough, describing how the vulnerability of the children in care makes the timeframe absolutely necessary. It also makes clear that the robustness and intensity of the process is equally there to benefit and protect the prospective foster carer, ensuring that they are fully prepared and certain of the commitment they are making. Suffolk residents are being asked to consider whether they have the patience, compassion and the spare room required to provide a child with the secure home life they need. Please visit www.fosterandadopt.suffolk.gov.uk
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People in Suffolk are being urged to check their white goods and to not use them unattended in an attempt to reduce the risk of fires starting in the home. As part of UK Home Safety Week, fire services up and down the country are recommending people register their appliances in case of recalls, but to also be aware that incidents can occur when a product isn’t on a recall list. Damage and severity of a fire, should one occur, is dramatically reduced if they are not left running while everyone is asleep or out of the house. Early indicators of potential risks can be quickly noticed, such as smells, unusual sounds or the appliance not performing as expected. People are also being urged to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and making sure they know how they will exit their home if a fire does occur. In 2015/16, more than 15,000 accidental fires in the home were caused by cookers and white goods across the UK. In 2016/17 in Suffolk, there were 29 incidents caused by white goods – to date in 2017/18, there have been 11. Suffolk Trading Standards are also informing people of the campaign, reminding them to regularly check the recalled list of domestic appliances, and to follow their weekly product recall campaign, #CheckItTuesday on Twitter. We would urge people to register their appliances at www.registermyappliance.org.uk This online safety initiative, which is supported by fire services and government represents nearly 90% of white goods brands and allows people to register appliances new and up to 12 years old so if there’s a safety recall they can be contacted.
