Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
Address
Sunflower Fostering
The Old School
Weston-under-Lizard
Shropshire
TF11 8JZ
Phone number
01952 739103
General email
[email protected]
Opening Hours
The agency’s primary focus is helping children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes in life and maximise their own potential. Positive achievements are measured in terms of what matters to the foster children and their carers and might range from large things like academic performance to small things like spending time with a friend. The agency strives to ensure its children have the best possible chances in life and its foster carers are supported to facilitate this.
Some children come from a background of neglect or abuse and many have faced a lack of routines and boundaries in their life. Our foster carers do an amazing job of supporting our children and young people to achieve excellent outcomes. Equally, they help foster children to feel settled and safe and it is then that they can start to flourish and grow. I am proud to be part of an agency that supports children and foster carers to achieve what they want to achieve in life and enjoy watching the children thrive. It is rewarding to be part of that journey.
Kole Akeju, Registered Manager
Our foster carers can claim a wide range of perks and benefits, like free membership to The Fostering Network, Max Cards, high street discounts, invitations to family activities and events, and much more.
People from all walks of life become foster carers. You can help to inspire a generation of vulnerable children and young people to find their way in the world and help us build an incredible future for them. If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer with Sunflower Fostering, please get in touch with us today
Sunflower Fostering values its fostering families and the amazing work they do to keep children safe and help them to thrive. It is committed to providing a package of support that gives foster carers the back-up and skills they need to do a great job. Each foster carer is supported by a highly qualified supervising social worker who is in weekly contact with them. Additional support is provided whenever needed from a clinical psychologist who can work with both children and foster carers.
Events and activities take place throughout the year to enable foster carers and their children to socialise together and form good support networks. There are bi-monthly foster carer support groups which enable foster carers to share good practice. The agency has a youth council so that foster children can have their say and share their experiences. The agency is in the process of formulating a son’s and daughter’s group specifically for birth children. There is also a men’s group which provides a venue for male foster carers to discuss the unique challenges they face. We also run craft group, women who foster group and mindfulness sessions for foster carers
Peer support from other foster carers is currently being formalised within the agency. A Peer Support Team is being introduced to allow foster carers to gain support and advice from others who have faced many of the same challenges and who have practical hands-on experience. A buddying system is also being developed to support would-be foster carers going through the assessment process.
Sunflower Fostering is a team in the true sense of the word. Staff and foster carers work closely together, supporting one another to do the very best they can for the children/young people. Foster carers undergo regular professional training via the Shine platform and can choose from a range of specialist training programmes to help them meet the individual needs of foster children.
Although Sunflower Fostering is a small agency, it benefits from being part of the prestigious National Fostering Group. Not only does this give its foster carers access to the group’s training, support and resources, but it also offers reassurance to Local Authorities that they are dealing with the largest fostering group in the UK with an excellent track record in caring for vulnerable children and young people.