Fostering in Cambridgeshire.
Interested in becoming a foster carer?
The children and young people who need to be cared for in Cambridge and the surrounding area are from diverse backgrounds, are different ages, maybe with siblings, they may need an emergency placement or a long-term placement. They all have one thing in common, they need to be cared for by caring, nurturing, and understanding adults who can provide them with a positive experience of family life.
Factors to consider before deciding to foster
Along with the training and support provided by the foster agencies, you should ensure that you have a personal support system with friends and family who can help you with stressful situations. As a foster carer, you may have to deal with difficult situations. The age range of foster children needs to be considered, according to your personal circumstances. You will need to flexible and able to work with social workers. You may also need to communicate with the birth parents of the foster child.
A Cambridgeshire foster carer’s story
I have always been interested in fostering but didn’t consider it seriously until my own children had left home for university. I thought that it was the ideal time to enquire about becoming a foster carer. I was a bit worried about the financial side of fostering. Would I be able to afford to become a foster carer if I left my full-time job in Cambridge? I would still need an income to pay the mortgage.
I contacted a fostering agency in Cambridgeshire, who came out to see me. I asked plenty of questions about the fostering process and how long it would take. I also asked about the allowances and the support that I would receive.
I was a bit daunted by the application process, but it turned out to be very straightforward. There was an assessment which was very informal and relaxed with a social worker from Cambridge. The whole process only took a few months and then after I was approved, we had our first placement.
Looking after our first foster child, Ben, who was fifteen and from Cambridge, was a great experience. I found it difficult to say goodbye when the placement ended. It felt very rewarding to have helped make a difference in his life and I was able to use all the skills I had learnt as a parent to my own children. Fostering has enabled me to stop working full time and I’ve not looked back since.
The agency that I foster for in Cambridgeshire provides an allowance of £400 a week to cover all the costs of looking after a child. Becoming a foster carer has changed by life and is one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made. The amazing support I’ve received from my family and friends has helped me to fulfil my dream of becoming a foster carer.
A Foster Carer from Cambridge.
“My partner and I have been foster carers in Northampton for two years but became disillusioned with the previous agency. Fostering UK made the change extremely easy.”
Phil from Northampton
Cambridge
The Saxons named Cambridge ‘Grantabrycge’ which means, ‘bridge over the river Granta’.
Cambridge University, one of the best in the world, was founded in 1209. There are approximately 25,000 students among the city’s population of 129,000. It is the second largest city in Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam.
Cambridge is home to Holme Fen, which is where you will find Holme Post, the lowest land point in the UK at nine feet below sea level and still sinking.
In more recent years Cambridge has become something of a technology hub, and nicknamed the Silicon Fen. A host of gaming, science and tech companies are based here.
In 1848, a game of football was played on Parker’s Piece. This was the first game ever played. The Cambridge Rules of football were drawn up in 1863 and became the basis of the FA’s rules.
Ely
The cathedral city of Ely is the largest island in the Fens. Up until the 17th century, when the Fens were drained, it was accessible only by boat.
There is a fine Norman Cathedral in Ely, built over 1000 years ago. It has intricate stonework and was completed over a period of 300 years. Known as ‘the ship of the Fens’, it’s prominent position towers over the flat landscape.
Peterborough
The medieval city of Peterborough also has a very fine cathedral, founded in Anglo-Saxon times and rebuilt in the 12th century. Along with Ely cathedral, it has remained largely intact.
Peterborough has the largest group of environmental businesses in the country and in 2013 was made one only four UK Future City Demonstrators.
ST Neots
The town of St Neots is named after Saint Neot, a monk who lived in the town of St Neot in Cornwall.
The third biggest reservoir in England, Grafham Water, is near St Neots. It has a circumference of 16k and was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986.