Make next Christmas a family Christmas for a child in care

As the festive period gets under way, councils from across the region are asking people to open up their homes and hearts and make next Christmas a family Christmas for a child in care.

Across the east of England a classroom of kids come into care every week. Christmas can be a challenging time for children who cannot safely live at home 

Norfolk foster carers, Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home.

Bev was working at the police station when a two-year old boy was brought in with his Mum who had been arrested. As an experienced mother of five, Bev looked after the little boy in the police station until the small hours. There were no foster carers available, and the toddler had to be taken to a children's home.  

As Bev's five children opened their presents on Christmas Day, she couldn't stop thinking about how different this little boy's Christmas was going to be and how much better it would have been for him to go to a foster family. She and her husband decided to find out about fostering with their local council.  

Bev said: "Every Christmas we look back and think about how many children we've fostered since we realised what a difference our family could make. The best thing about being a foster carer is seeing a child's confidence and happiness increase. That moment when a child looks back at you for reassurance - whether it's riding a bike for the first time or tying their shoelaces - it's so moving and rewarding." 

Watch a video about Bev and Steve's experience.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council said: "Christmas is a magical time for most children, but not for everyone. In  Norfolk we currently have 1200 children in care. As many of these children as possible live with amazing foster families, but as there is a shortage of foster carers, they can't all have the family Christmas we  want for our children.    

"Children come into care for all sorts of reasons. Their parents may be taken ill, involved in an accident, might be arrested, or might not safely be able to care for their children. Children might only need care for a few weeks, but when there is no-one else available to look after them, foster families are essential."  

Norfolk County Council is the largest fostering agency in Norfolk, with more than 300 foster families working with Norfolk Fostering Service. We urgently need more foster carers to join us so that every child in care can live in a family home. 

Foster carers come from all walks of life. Foster carers can have their own children living at home, can have pets, own or rent their homes, work full-time or part-time, or foster full time. As long as you are over 21, there is no upper age limit. Foster carers can be single or couples and have children.  

Fostering for your council helps your local Children's Services to keep children rooted in their community, close to their friends and family. Councils are at the heart of children's social services, with great support networks and in-depth training, all delivered locally to you.  

If you're interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer, read more about what is involved at www.fostereast.org.uk call Foster East on 0330 024 1177.