Melksham man calls for fostering rise (From Wiltshire Times)

Melksham man calls for fostering rise

9:00am Sunday 5th February 2012 in Melksham By Mike Wilkinson, Senior Reporter

A single man in Melksham wants to get the message across that foster carers like him come in all shapes and sizes and are not only middle- aged married couples.

David Griffin is encouraging more Wiltshire people to follow his lead and tackle the shortfall in fosterers willing to look after the 400 young people in care.

Hot air balloon pilot Mr Griffin, 40, is a single man with two boys, aged 14 and 16, currently in his care.

Mr Griffin, of Grasmere, Bowerhill, said: “I had more time on my hands, so, in August 2010, I took on my first placement and I haven’t looked back since.

“It is very rewarding, as I have always wanted to look after children. You would be surprised who can become a foster carer. We come in all shapes and sizes and it is not just for the typical married couple whose own children have flown the nest.

“I had a spare room, flexible working arrangements and wanted to support young people, so thought fostering could be for me. I was right.

“I now enjoy trying to help young people achieve their potential through fostering.”

The council’s fostering team is keen to hear from people who want to find out more about the role.

Gill Burtwell, the council’s fostering service manager, said: “If you’ve been thinking about fostering for a while, this is a great time to finally make that call to us.

“It could be the start of a really rewarding year and future in fostering.

“During 2012, we want to recruit 50 new fostering families who can care for local children.

“We particularly need more foster carers for teenagers, for two or more brothers and sisters, so that they can stay together, and for children with disabilities.”

Support is available 24 hours a day and people can be single, married or in a relationship. Placements can be anything from a few days, months or years to when the child becomes an adult.

Foster carers are given an allowance to ensure finances do not become a barrier.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can call the fostering team on 0800 1696 321 or email to fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk.

For fostering information, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ fostering.