Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which delivers children’s services in Reading, is delighted to announce it has become a Fostering Friendly employer, giving extra support to staff who foster children and young people.
Ahead of Foster Care Fortnight, 10-23 May, BFfC launched the scheme, which is accredited by The Fostering Network, in recognition of the valuable contribution foster carers make to our society and especially the lives of children in care in Reading.
Brighter Futures for Children has its own Independent Fostering Agency and is actively seeking foster carers from within Reading
Di Smith, Board Chair at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are keen to encourage fostering in Reading and understand that foster carers who work with us may need some flexibility in order to meet the needs of their fostered child.
“Foster carers who work with BFfC will be offered paid leave to attend training or meetings relating to fostering. Employees will also be offered paid time off when a child is first brought into their care to give them the chance to welcome and settle them into their new home.
“We hope this will offer some support to our current staff who foster and encourage others to consider fostering alongside their career at Brighter Futures for Children.”
If any Reading-based company would like to learn more about becoming a Fostering Friendly organisation to support local people to foster local children, please contact the Brighter Futures for Children IFA: foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Find out more information about the Fostering Friendly scheme at: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/fostering-friendly