A PROJECT to boost the number of foster carers could be rolled out across Barnsley following the ‘significant’ success of a pilot scheme.
The North East Area Council, which covers Cudworth, Monk Bretton, North East and Royston wards, was the first of the town’s six area councils to take on the Barnsley Carers For Barnsley Children initiative last year.
The local authority is charged around £3,000 per week to place a child in a private residential placement if no fostering alternatives are available - considerably more than the £500 it costs with a council-recruited foster carer.
A working party consisting of Councillors Jeff Ennis, Caroline Makinson and Joe Hayward was set up to oversee the initiative, which saw members work to promote the benefits of fostering by having pop-up stalls and leaflets posted across the wards’ villages.
An update into its progress was given last Thursday, at Barnsley Town Hall, where it was revealed 81 potential foster carers had come forward in a six-month period in the North East Area Council’s villages - up from 52 Barnsley-wide enquiries for the whole of 2016.
Coun Tim Cheetham said: “It really has been a roaring success - we’re only one sixth of the borough but the enquiries have risen dramatically. It has the potential for massive numbers and shows what can be achieved.
“The more carers we have on the books, the better. It’s been great to have current foster carers at the front of the project as it enables others to see just how inspiring they are.”
Members were told the five remaining area councils’ chairmen have been informed about the success - and it’s hoped the results will lead to others placing Barnsley Carers For Barnsley Children as a priority this year.
Coun Charlie Wraith added: “We have had so many applications in. Foster carers are special people and by having Barnsley-based carers for Barnsley’s children, it means they will stay in the town and nearby their family and friends.
“We have done all sorts of work on the project in the past year, whether it’s leaflet-dropping or at galas and events, so it shows just how much of an effect it’s had on people.
“It’s a fantastic scheme and has been very successful. It’s not about money but it’s saved cash for the council and there’s no reason why that can’t be replicated across the whole of the borough.”
Jon Banwell, Barnsley Council’s head of children in care, said the drive to boost numbers was vital for the town.
“We really need Barnsley carers for Barnsley children,” he added. “Being able to continue living in the same town allows the town’s children and young people in foster care to go to the same school and keep seeing their friends and family members.
“The North East Area Council has set up a number of openings, as well as distributing a large number of posters and flyers across the ward area. It’s brilliant so many local amenities are keen to help promote the campaign. I hope that through this, and by word of mouth, we can continue to recruit more support and more carers.”
