THE four Cheshire local authorities that make up Foster4, are highlighting the valuable role sons and daughters of foster carers play as part of this month's Fostering Network’s national Sons and Daughters Month.

Councillor Nicole Meardon, Cheshire West and Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Our foster families do an amazing job caring for our children in care and it’s really important that we recognise that the sons and daughters of our foster carers play a vital part in welcoming children in to their home too.

“People thinking about fostering are often concerned about the impact it will have on their own children but many of our foster families say that it has been a positive experience for their children. Seeing life from other children’s perspectives can give them a real depth of enriching life experiences.

“In west Cheshire we run a regular Sons and Daughters Group for the children of our foster carers. It gives them a chance to talk to other children who know what it’s like to welcome a foster child into their home. The group also regularly go on trips out including to the theatre and zoo.

“As part of Sons and Daughters Month, we’re sending a thank you card and small token of our appreciation to all the sons and daughters of our foster carers.

"We’re also working with our colleagues over in Halton, another of the local authorities in the Foster4 collaboration, and lit the Mersey Gateway Bridge Orange on October 7 to celebrate.

"Sons and daughters of foster carers really are unsung heroes and we want each and every child who grows up as part of a fostering family to know just how important they are.”

Sasha, who grew up in a fostering household, said: “My mum and dad started fostering when I was 13 and my brother was nine. It’s certainly not all been plain sailing but it’s definitely changed my life for the better.

"It’s all I’ve ever known and now I’m an adult with a young family of my own, I’m still very much an active part of our fostering family. I help out with caring for the children my mum and dad have in their care, and get involved with the recruitment of new carers.

"I often attend information sessions and even attend initial visits to new carers, who sometimes worry how their own children will cope.

“Fostering is very much a family affair – everyone helps each other out in their own little ways to ensure the children have the best possible childhoods- sons and daughters included.”

Foster4 will be hosting a drop-in information event at Storyhouse in Chester on Thursday, October 10, at 6pm. If you're interested in fostering come along and listen to the presentation, find out about the support on offer and hear directly from some young people whose families have fostered.

Foster4 is a collaborative foster carer recruitment service for Warrington Borough Council, Halton Borough Council, Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

To find out more about Sons and Daughters Month and fostering, visit www.foster4.co.uk, @foster4cheshire on Facebook or call 01925 444100.