Summer party at the Business Innovation Centre encourages employers to become Fostering Friendly
Summer party at the Business Innovation Centre encourages employers to become Fostering Friendly
--
Tenants of the Bridge Innovation Centre (BIC), Pembroke Dock hosted a Summer Party for their friends and families and extended an invitation to those involved with foster care.
This included members of the Regional Foster Wales Team and Foster Wales Pembrokeshire, the local authority fostering team, foster carers, their families and the children they care for.
John Likeman of Raven Technologies, one of the many businesses operating from the BIC, organised the event in order to raise awareness of the need for foster carers in Pembrokeshire.
He also wants to encourage businesses to adopt a more fostering friendly policy to enable them to support their employees to become foster carers.
“We, as employers, need to be reactive - able to be accommodating and compassionate towards our foster caring colleagues.
“The businesses which operate at the Bridge Innovation Centre are so kind and have reacted so positively to this event with many pledging to become fostering friendly and foster flexible organisations,” added Mr Likeman.
Foster Wales is calling on employers to recognise the contribution that foster carers make and understanding the need for some flexibility to bust the myth that you cannot work if you become a foster carer.
Nicky Sandford, Foster Wales Regional Development Manager for Mid and West Wales said: “Nearly 40 per cent of foster carers combine fostering with other work. Those who do have told us that a supportive employer can make all the difference, enabling them to balance employment with looking after children.”
Melany Evans, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Service Manager for Children in Care thanked Mr Likeman and the BIC for their support.
She added: “There are more than 240 children in the care of the local authority in Pembrokeshire and we need more foster carers who are able to offer them the stable and loving homes that they deserve.
“If employers in can support their employees to become foster carers, we can help more children stay local, connected to their communities, and ultimately, to achieve better futures.”
Also in attendance was Voices from Care Cymru, an independent voice for the care community.
Operations Director, Emma Phipps-Magill, said: “It is important, along with stable foster care, that our care experienced children and young people are given an avenue to connect with peers, be listened to and have a voice in influencing change for themselves and others.”
To find out more email nicky.sandford@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or Katie.nicolle@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.
More information about Foster Wales Pembrokeshire is available online or call 01437 774650.
Summer party at the Business Innovation Centre encourages employers to become Fostering Friendly
Inquest opens into death of Tenby taxi driver, Chris Boyle
The inquest has opened into the death of local taxi driver Chris Boyle, who died at the scene of a road traffic collision earlier this month.
Preparations begin to host Pembrokeshire's first National Eisteddfod in quarter of a century
Pembrokeshire front garden named 'Best in Wales'
Woman pleads guilty to causing death of baby Mabli by dangerous driving
A 70-year-old motorist has appeared before a Judge at Swansea Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to causing the death of baby Mabli Cariad Hall by dangerous driving.
It's bussin', bruh! Mike Chant tells Pure West Radio how his RNLI Gen Z video went viral.
Lifeboat crew member Mike Chant tells Pure West Radio how his Gen Z video went viral.
Celebrate autumn’s bounty at Carew Castle’s Apple Pressing Day
Celebrate autumn’s bounty at Carew Castle’s Apple Pressing Day
Neyland Community School rewarded for work on mental health and trauma
Neyland Community School rewarded for work on mental health and trauma
Early budget consultation – have your say on major financial pressures
Early budget consultation – have your say on major financial pressures