Barnsley Foster Carers Association were established in 1975. The association is made up of foster carers who have been approved by Barnsley Council. 
 

Our objectives are to help improve the experience of care and promote good practices within the fostering arena by liaising with Barnsley’s fostering service to discuss all aspects of fostering.

​

The Association offers support and assistance for foster carers. Peer support can be essential when new and challenging situations arise. We as foster carers aim to improve the outcomes of the children and young people of Barnsley who are currently being looked after.

​

To help achieve this goal we  provide a year round calendar of educational and fun activities for our children and young people and fostering families. This includes our annual Halloween Party, Easter Party, Christmas Party, Pantomime, Paint a Pot and Bowling, an event specifically for our older children (Ninja Warrior) and one specifically for our younger children (Hire a full soft play centre). Afternoon Tea at Twisted Teapot, a local venue adds a slice of well deserved TLC just for our carers.   We also arrange our annual trips to enable everyone to enjoy fun days at Flamingoland and Zoo and Cannon Hall and Farm.

 

We find our events equally beneficial to our children and young people and the fostering families they have joined. These activities and days out give our children the opportunity to meet other children and young people who are in or who have experienced similar situations to themselves. It helps give them a sense of community spirit and wellbeing, boosts their self esteem and confidence and helps them to thrive and move forward on their own journey in life. this is particularly beneficial as these activities mean our children can meet other children and young people who are in similar situations to themselves. It gives them a sense of  community spirit and wellbeing, boosts their self esteem and confidence and helps them to thrive and move forward in life.

​

We take our responsibilities very seriously and undertake risk assessments for all of our events via our risk assessment/safeguarding lead. Most foster carers have paediatric first aid training and so events are well covered. First aid boxes are at all events.All foster carers have a safer caring policy for their individual children and are therefore able to manage any needs linked to the children in their care. 

​