insideKENT Magazine Issue 48 - March 2016 | Page 131

Change a young person’s life and yours…
what are you waiting for?
A foster care agency, still run by its co-founders 21 years after it started, is urging
people across Kent to think about giving a young person a new start in life, and
consider becoming a foster carer.

Foster Care Associates’ (FCA) ‘What Are You
Waiting For?’ recruitment campaign is inspired
from the moment in 1994 when FCA’s co-founder,
Jan Rees OBE, experienced what she calls her
‘light-bulb moment’ after reading an article on
fostering. This led to her life-changing decision
to care for young people in need.
Jan Rees OBE, co-founder of Foster Care
Associates, said: “We’re 100% committed to
changing the lives of children and young people
in Kent, and our foster carers are at the heart of
everything we do, but we need more. No matter
what age you are, whether you apply as a single
person or a couple, or have your own birth
children, as long as you have a spare room and

are able to nurture and support, you could
become a foster carer.”
Unlike adoption a fostered child remains
the legal responsibility of the local authority and/or
their birth parents, and ensures that children who
cannot be with their parents or other relatives,
for whatever reasons, can be cared for in a family
situation.
Jan continues: “Foster care is not without
its challenges, which is why the support services
provided by a fostering agency like FCA is so
integral to carers, however I would also describe
it as the best job in the world! I hope someone
reading this today will find their lightbulb moment
and decide to enquire about becoming a foster
carer – what are you waiting for?”

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Foster carers with FCA receive frequent
visits and contact from a dedicated and qualified
social worker. Support is also provided through
an education officer, support workers and
therapist to help carers meet the needs of child
or young person. Ongoing training, a financial
allowance, access to carer support gr