Gloucestershire County Council Fostering has revealed a brand-new achievements-focused initiative, celebrating the accomplishments of the birth children of foster carers as part of its ongoing K4K programme.
The announcement coincides with The Fostering Network's annual 'Children of Foster Carers Month', which is a UK-wide campaign celebrating the significant contribution of children of foster carers to successful foster care, taking place from Tuesday 1 to Thursday 31 October 2024.
K4K — which stands for Kids for Kids — is open to children and young people up to the age of 18, whose parents or guardians are foster carers for GCC Fostering.
The initiative provides a support group for children to talk to others of a similar age about life in a family that fosters, as well as offering the chance to take part in fun days out, receive treats and regular newsletters, too.
The group belongs to these children and offers support on the issues that matter to them most.
New for 2024, the achievements scheme — which will feature in the K4K newsletter — recognises and celebrates the vital role that the children of foster carers make to foster care, as well as their own individual triumphs — whether it’s GCSE results, learning to tie shoelaces, telling a grown up about something surrounding fostering they’re worried about, climbing a mountain, eating peas for the first time, joining a new team or club, or anything they’ve achieved and feel good about.
Steve Creswell, senior family support worker, and lead on the K4K programme at GCC said: 'We try and ensure that every child whose parents foster knows how much their contribution means to us and the fostering community as a whole. They welcome children into their homes and help make them feel happier, safer and loved.
'We introduced the K4K
Achievements initiative to celebrate their own personal triumphs and
accomplishments — however big or small. It’s important for us to remember they
have challenges and dreams and goals in life, and we want to encourage and
celebrate with them every step of the way, just as they do for foster
children.'
For more information or a no-obligation chat with the Gloucestershire County Council Fostering team, call (01242) 532654, visit gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering or email fostering@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
