FCA Carer Recruitment Targets Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Dorset

BROMSGRAVE, England, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster Care Associates (FCA), the UK's leading independent fostering agency, has stepped up its foster carer recruitment campaign across Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Dorset.

Through a wide range of marketing initiatives across the print, radio and online mediums, together with regular information evenings, the agency hopes to attract a new influx of quality foster carers in three areas of England which traditionally carry a desperate shortfall.

The targeted campaigns complement the agency's ongoing recruitment drive to tackle the 10,000 shortage of foster carers across the UK.

"FCA is urging potential foster carers to come forward and find out more about the many benefits that this challenging yet hugely rewarding career can offer. We are seeking to recruit new foster carers in Aylesbury, Buckingham and Milton Keynes in particular, as well as Bournemouth and Southampton," explained Fozia Sheikh, Marketing Manager for FCA South.

She added: "We are recruiting carers who believe they have what it takes to look after children above the age of 10 years old who sometimes display challenging behaviour. We really need to find a cross-section of local foster carers who are able to cope with the diverse needs and backgrounds of these children - and provide a safe secure environment where children are given the opportunity to flourish and enjoy happy lives in their local communities."

Residents in Buckinghamshire will receive a wide range of information about fostering and what is involved in becoming a foster carer through leaflet drops, newspaper and radio adverts, and information drop in sessions. FCA will initially run a campaign of radio adverts in Hampshire on fostering in Bournemouth. Potential carers from both regions are also invited to visit the agency's carer recruitment focussed website, which offers readers locally based information on foster care UK news and events in their region.

"I am delighted to announce the series of carer recruitment events in these target areas," commented Sara Chambers Ross, head of Operations, Carer Recruitment Retention and Welfare at FCA. "It is crucial that we encourage families to come forward and be considered for fostering as there are so many children and young people who need foster families in this area of the country. At FCA we truly value and support our carers and they often tell me that observing the amazing progress young people achieve is so rewarding. With the expertise and responsiveness of our staff, we ensure that enquiring about fostering with FCA will be a positive experience."

The intensive campaign began in September and will run into 2011, with ongoing carer recruitment initiatives covering fostering in Buckingham, Hampshire and fostering in London planned for the medium to long term.

About Foster Care Associates

Foster Care Associates (FCA), part of the Core Assets Group Limited, is the UK's leading independent fostering agency, with offices operating throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Working in partnership with Local Authorities and Health Trusts throughout the UK, FCA aims to provide "quality care in a family setting" for over 2500 foster children who are looked after by the agency's 2100 foster families.

SOURCE Foster Care Associates