When sibling groups - that is more than one child and their brothers or sisters - are placed in foster care it can become a problem for the council to keep them together.
One of the challenges which foster carers often face is the practicality of transporting groups of children around, whether it's to and from school or just being able to go out together as one family. Often not having the right sized vehicle can be one of the obstacles preventing foster carers from being able to care for larger sibling groups.
The City of Wolverhampton Council has recognised this and has introduced measures that will allow foster carers to apply for financial help, in the right circumstances, to buy a bigger vehicle.
This support is just one way in which the council is helping foster carers to give longer term care to groups of siblings.
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster carers who combine a desire to help children with a commitment to providing the best possible care.
"But we have more sibling groups who are looking for a foster home. Keeping siblings together provides them with the best possible future given their relationships with each other, the support they may provide one another and their shared experiences.
"These new measures are just one of the ways we are supporting our foster carers and we hope that more will take up this support and open their home and hearts to a family that needs them."
There are dozens of children waiting for a home, and the Fostering for Wolverhampton team are keen to hear from individuals and couples who want to make a difference to a local child.
Foster carers can be sole carers, married or in a relationship - and they won't be on their own as help and support is always available. They will receive six months' "buddy support" from experienced foster carers who are there to befriend and guide them through the system.
Supervising social workers provide intensive support for the first six weeks of a placement and then every month thereafter, while foster carers can get help through a peer support network.
Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and carers receive a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.
People who are interested in becoming foster carers are invited to meet the Fostering for Wolverhampton Recruitment Team at one of its drop in sessions, taking place over the next few weeks. They will be taking place at:
- Tettenhall Christmas Lights switch on, Saturday 25 November, 5pm to 7.30pm
- Queen Square, Wolverhampton, Friday 1 December, 9.30am to 3pm
- Castlecroft Rugby Club, Sunday 10 December, 9.30am to 1pm.
People can also find out more about becoming a foster carer by visiting Type=links;Linkid=8022;Title=Fostering for Wolverhampton;Target=_blank;, by calling 01902 551133 or searching for 'Fostering for Wolves' on Facebook.
Councillor Gibson added: "Fostering can truly be a life-changing experience, both for foster carers and the youngsters they care for. We'd love to hear from people who are interested in becoming foster carers."
- released: Thursday 16 November, 2017