Stockport Council has announced its support for the 'Foster Friendly' scheme, encouraging local businesses to allow extra time off for employees looking to foster. 

As the council states: "The council has adopted a 'Fostering Friendly Policy' which gives five days' extra leave to any employee who is applying to become a foster carer so they can attend any meetings, home visits or training sessions as part of the preparation and assessment process."

The council is 'encouraging' local businesses across Stockport to become 'Foster Friendly' employers, announcing that John Lewis had recently done so.

Aspiring foster carers must go through an intensive assessment process and training, and the council argues that therefore time off and flexibility is important.

Furthermore, those who are already foster carers may require emergency leave; employers are therefore also encouraged to recognise fostered children as dependents and provide the same access to emergency leave as parents. 

There are around 300 children and young people in foster care in Stockport. 

Fostering is a way of providing a family life for children and young people who cannot live with their own parents. Children may return home once the problems that caused them to come into foster care have been resolved, whilst others stay in long term foster care.

Some children and young people may also be adopted, and others will move on to live independently.

Cllr Wendy Meikle, cabinet member for children, families & education said "As an employer, the council has introduced this flexible, fostering friendly approach to ensure our staff who are considering becoming a foster carer are given the support and the opportunity to help them balance work and the busy role of a foster carer. 

"Our foster carers are making a real difference to young children in Stockport and they do a wonderful job and we are trying to make life a little easier from them and allow them the time to be trained and supported to become the best foster carer they can be and help to build stable homes for our local children and young people."

"There are many children who need a caring home and I would urge firms and organisations in Stockport to help wherever they can. 

"Just making a few small changes to leave arrangements and working practices won't make a massive difference to your organisation but it could make a massive difference to children's lives."

For more information on this initiative, including how to become a foster friendly employer, click HERE.

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