The annual event for foster carers and fostering professionals usually takes place at Molineux Stadium, but due to this year’s pandemic and covid restrictions the event was held virtually using the most up to date online technology.
This is the 5th year Fostering for Wolverhampton have held their Foster Carer Conference. Every year the event is an opportunity for learning and sharing best practice, to help further improve fostering services for Wolverhampton’s looked after children.
This year’s theme ‘Wounds to Scars’ focussed on how foster carers can support children in care on their journey to healing.
Guest speaker Lemn Sissay MBE gave a keynote speech with a thought-provoking motivational talk about his own journey through the care system.
Other presentations included ‘coping through lockdown’, ‘the black lives matter movement’ and ‘helping children in care return to school.’
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, who opened the event said: "The job our foster carers do continues to be even more vital during these current times and I can only imagine the challenge and impact the coronavirus emergency continues to have on their daily lives.
“Our foster carers are some of the most important key workers and frontline carers in our city and we cannot thank them enough for everything they are doing to support our most vulnerable children and young people in our community.
“This is one of our key events of the year and we wanted to make it special by inviting Lemn Sissay MBE to address our foster carers, social workers and fostering professionals. Lemn originally joined us at one of our events two years ago and received a standing ovation.”
To find out more please visit Fostering for Wolverhampton or call 01902 551133.
You can watch Lemn Sissay’s full speech below.
