Foster Carers make their debut on camera.

19th October 2007

Pathway Care Group, one of the UK's leading independent fostering agencies, has launched an innovative new DVD to recruit much needed foster carers

The 20-minute film contains interviews with actual foster carers, their birth children, and a young person who has gone through the care system. All talk openly about the advantages and challenges of a career in foster care. 

There is a UK wide shortage of over a 10,000 foster carers, in an attempt to boost numbers Pathway Care has been actively engaged in a series of recruitment campaigns. The DVD is the latest initiative to help would-be foster carers decide if they have what it takes.

Conor Rooney, Pathway Care's Marketing Manager, said: "The film provides an invaluable insight, straight from the mouths of real foster carers into the reality of fostering. In order to attract new carers we need to dispel any fears or preconceptions that surround fostering, hopefully this dvd achieves this and will reassure any body thinking about becoming a carer.

"The motivation for becoming a foster carer must always be the desire to help vulnerable children. However, more and more people are realising that a career in foster care offers various benefits such as attractive rates of pay, flexibility, the ability to work from home and the opportunity to help disadvantaged children improve their life-prospects," he added.

Foster carers featured in the film talk candidly about their reasons for becoming foster carers, the recruitment process, the effect of fostering on the family, as well as offering tips and advice based on years of experience. They also highlight the positive aspects fostering has had on their lives.

Carers from different regions in the UK appear in the DVD, they range from those that have fostered for many years, to carers just beginning their careers as  carers.  One of the carers featured on the dvd said "Working for Pathway Care is like being part of a big family. Fostering can be challenging and it's not for everyone but we have never regretted our decision to become foster carers and I would urge others to do the same, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can do."

Mr Rooney said: "Increasingly foster carers are recognised as an important part of the children's workforce, and as skilled people who provide an invaluable service to society.

Anybody who would like to know more about fostering or who would like a copy of the DVD can contact any of the regional offices.