Dudley’s Mayor and Mayoress encourage people to consider fostering

After adopting their son years before, Councillor Pete Lee and his wife Gloria, knew they had more to give, so began their road to becoming foster carers in 2012.

From the beginning, the couple knew they wanted to foster locally. Offering a safe, stable home and a positive experience of family life.

Over the years they have had many different placements, both young children and teenagers, as well as sibling groups - who they liked to see kept together.

Placements varied in length from short term to long term. Two children who joined their family when they were under five are still with them today, in their teenage years, one under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) and the other through Shared Lives.

Together they have fostered more than 20 children, over more than a decade, each one unique.
In recent years, the couple took a break from fostering but are about to embark on the journey again and are currently going through the assessment process to become carers again for Dudley Council.

Councillor Pete Lee, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“People don’t think they can foster but they can.

“We’ve enjoyed fostering immensely, it’s a delight and a joy to be able to offer a safe home to a child and to watch them grow.

“We’ve been privileged to help children through difficult stages in life, while supporting them to learn and develop.

“From teaching a child to swim to taking them on family holidays, we always want to make sure the children feel part of our family.

“We know some people worry about the assessment process, and although it can be testing at times, it’s an important part of the process and once complete, allows you to get on with the important part of caring for children who need you.

“If it’s something you’ve thought about then take the first step by having a chat with the fostering team. Take the opportunity to find out more before making a commitment. It’s also useful to hear the experiences of other foster carers, so attending a drop-in session gives you that opportunity.

“It really is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.”

Fostering in Dudley offers 24-hour support, 365 days a year. To find out more and start your fostering journey, visit www.fosteringindudley.org.uk or call 01384 815833.