Cheers rang out in Liverpool this week when Brookside and Corrie star Simon O’Brien, joined Naomi Foulkes, Team Manager of Fostering Solutions Merseyside, and Cheryl Harris, Registered Manager of Fostering Solutions Northwest, to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of their brand new offices in Wavertree. The celebrations continued well into the afternoon with family-friendly activities and delicious refreshments. Magic tricks featuring real rabbits from the Northwest’s favourite children’s entertainer Zippy Junior, added to the fun.
‘There is currently an estimated 2,385 looked after children in the Liverpool and Wirral region1, and the number continues to rise,’ said Naomi Foulkes, Team Manager, Fostering Solutions Merseyside, part of National Fostering Group. ‘Which is why we’ve opened our new office – a hub to help support our foster families and the vulnerable children and young people they care for. All our foster carer training, peer support groups, youth activities and annual celebrations will now take place here, one central location in Wavertree, Liverpool – the beating heart of our Merseyside region.
‘We plan to run a whole host of events and open days, so members of the local community can learn more about the work we do, and join us in supporting children and families. Children and young people are at the centre of everything we do, and our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience. We take great pride in being an Outstanding Ofsted rated agency, which reflects the commitment and dedication of our excellent team.
‘Fostering Solutions has 55 members of staff across the Northwest, with 11 based in the Liverpool City Region. The team comprises social workers, managers, support workers, carer recruitment officers, placement co-ordinators and office administrators. As a Merseyside office, our focus is to recruit foster carers within the Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral regions. Whilst our focus is on the Liverpool City Region, as an agency we do work with local authorities in surrounding boroughs and nationally. This year we need to recruit 30 foster carers to meet the needs of children coming into care in the Northwest.
‘Our foster carer community is very diverse. We welcome applications from people from all walks of life, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, physical abilities and the LGBTQ+ community. You can be single, married, a homeowner or a tenant. Your ability to care for and nurture a child is what really matters. Fostering transforms young lives, and we ensure all our foster carers have the training and support they need 24 hours-a-day, as well as a generous fostering allowance. We’d love to hear from you!’
For enquiries about becoming a foster carer with Fostering Solutions Merseyside, please contact the Wavertree office on 0151 7331217, or alternatively call Nic Reeson, Carer Recruitment Officer on 07720 . For more information about Fostering Solutions Northwest, please click here.
