Current Safehouses Vacancies

 02/03/2010

 - Rochdale Area  - Mr and Mrs F

Vacancy for  2 children if siblings, 5 – 13 years, short term, respite or emergency

Mr and Mrs F were approved as foster carers in June 2008. They have been together for over nine years and have four children between them from their previous relationships. Mrs F’s 15 year old daughter lives in the family home whilst her 19 year old son has recently left to live independently.  

The couple live in a four bedroom home which is situated in Norden, a residential area situated close to Rochdale and the motorway networks.  Mr F’s two children, aged twenty and fifteen, live close by with their mother and are constant visitors to the house.

Mr F is the main carer whilst Mrs F will continue with her job at the local health centre. Their lives revolve around their family and close circle of friends.  They are very energetic and particularly enjoy watching and participating in different sporting activities. 

The family enjoy family holidays both in this country and abroad and will often spend their spare time walking their two dogs, both of which are friendly and used to being with children.

Mr and Mrs F have previously cared for a sibling group of two boys, both with complex needs for a period of five months and are currently caring for an 11 year old boy who has special needs due to his learning difficulties.

Mr and Mrs F are currently completing their CWDC portfolio and both attend training and carers groups on a regular basis.   They are a child-centred, tolerant and resilient couple who without doubt are full of energy and enthusiasm. They both display a good sense of humour and work together as a team.  They are fully committed to offering a warm, safe and nurturing environment and to ensure the best possible outcome for the child. 

Mr and Mrs F both drive and have access to transport and have no hesitation in facilitating transport to and from school and contact with family members.  

Mr and Mrs F have one bedroom available to take a sibling group and are looking forward to welcoming another child into their home.

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- Oswaldtwistle Area  - Mr and Mrs S

Vacancy for 1 child, 5 – 7 years of age, either gender, short term or respite.

Mr and Mrs S live in a three bedroom house in a pleasant residential area close to the town centre and all amenities.

The couple have an adult son who is profoundly deaf.   Throughout his life they have advocated for him and therefore, have a good understanding of the difficulties, strains and rewards of having a child with special needs.   He is now living an independent life with his partner and is a regular visitor to the house.

Mrs S is the main carer and an expert ‘signer’.   She has had a varied career in retail, personnel and management and has achieved NVQs in all these areas, as well as NVQ Level 3 in ‘Caring for Children and Young People.

Mr S is a self-employed electrical engineer who is available to help with the fostering task.

They have a long term placement of a 9 year old boy, who had experienced an adoption breakdown.   They have supported him emotionally and advocated for relevant services to enable him to achieve his full potential.   He is now very settled and doing well with all aspects of his life.

Mr and Mrs S now feel that they are able to offer a second placement, but careful matching would obviously need to take place.

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  - Bolton area  -  Mr and Mrs J

Vacancy of a planned placement for 1 child, 0 - 4 years of age, either gender, short term or respite.

Mr and Mrs J are in their mid fifties and have two adult children with families of their own.  They live near the towns of Bolton and Bury and all the multi cultural facilities associated with these areas. They have easy access to the motorway network covering the north-west region.

Mr and Mrs J’s home is a converted dormer bungalow which not only accommodates the couple and the children they foster, but also Mrs J’s elderly father who lives in a separate annex to the house.

Mr and Mrs J are experienced carers who offer an extremely warm and nurturing environment with emphasis on the individual needs of the children they care for.  Since 2003, the couple have cared for siblings of White/Caribbean heritage aged twelve and thirteen and now have specific long term approval for the girls.

Until recently, Mr and Mrs J fostered a young Asian mum and her baby.  The young woman has recently reached the age of eighteen and will remain at the carers’ home with her three year old on a supported board and lodging status until she finishes her education in June 2010.  

Mr and Mrs J would love to offer care to another child and feel that a pre-school child would be a good match with their own family. 

Mrs J is the main carer; she can drive and will facilitate all contact arrangements.

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-  Heywood, Gtr Manchester area – Mr and Mrs R
 
Vacancy for 1 child - aged 5 to 16 years, respite or short term

Mr and Mrs R live in a comfortable four bedroom house on a pleasant estate. The property has been extended to include conservatory and loft extension.    The house is situated about 2 miles from the centre of Heywood on the Darn Hill Estate and there are primary and secondary schools all within 5 minutes walk. Heywood has sports, recreational and social facilities and is easily reached either on foot or by public transport. Both carers drive and own their own cars.

Mr and Mrs R have two children, N who now lives independently, and C who is 18 who lives at home.   Mr R works full time whilst Mrs R’s role is that of Professional Foster Carer and remaining at home to fulfil this role.

The couple fostered for Rochdale SSD from 1997 and have had several children placed with them over the years. They have managed several challenging placements as well as children with significant health difficulties.  They were re-assessed and approved by Safehouses North Panel in April 2007.

Mr and Mrs R have demonstrated their ability to offer an excellent standard of care to a wide range of children with complex needs for over 10 years. They have cared for children with considerable behavioural, emotional and health difficulties. They have tolerance and resilience and children are readily accepted and integrated into their family.  They have a good support network and use training and supervision appropriately.

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