There is an increasing number of children and young people in Brighton & Hove who need support, care and a loving family home. As numbers grow, so does the need for excellent foster carers, and Brighton & Hove City Council believe Police Officers have what it takes.
PC Roger Pearson has worked as a Police Officer for 18 years. He spent five years neighbourhood policing in London before moving to Sussex where he now works in the Gatwick Response Team.
Becoming a foster carer is a big decision, and the assessment process can seem daunting. We chat to Sarah, 30, and her wife Gemma, 32, who have been fostering mixed race siblings with Brighton and Hove City Council for a year. They have never felt like they are on their own.
Why did you want to become Foster Carers?
We have talked about fostering since the day we met. Both our families have fostered, so fostering is something we’ve grown up with. Once we had married, found our flat, and settled down, we thought it’s now or never.
Children from all backgrounds can be fostered from birth, right up until their 18th birthday. They come into care when they are unable to live with their birth parents for a period of time.
If you are considering fostering, you may be thinking about whether to foster with Brighton & Hove City Council, or whether to choose an independent fostering agency. You may already foster with an independent fostering agency and wonder what you will gain from transferring.
We are proud of our fostering community and the incredible work our foster carers do for our looked after children. We want to create the very best experiences, support and training for our foster carers so they in turn can provide the most loving, stable and supportive homes for our children.