Cambridgeshire and Peterborough launch their new campaign ‘no place like home’ to help find more foster carers
Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council want to hear from anyone who is considering fostering in order to provide support, love and stability to children and young people.
Every day over 300 foster carers from across Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council give over 1,000 fostered children and young people a safe and loving home.
Both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council want to encourage people to find out more about how they can inspire children and young people to reach their full potential. During Covid-19 both local authorities have been progressing enquiries over the telephone and by video call, but many more foster carers are needed to help support children over 10, teenagers and sibling groups.
If you are over 21 and have a spare bedroom in your home then you should not rule yourself out based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender identification, religion or sexual orientation. Carers can be single or in a relationship, own or rent their own home, have their own children or be child-free.
Carers receive payments and allowances to help cover their time and expenses, as well as advice and guidance so they are supported every step of the way.
Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council encourage you to find out more about fostering, visit the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough websites. Alternatively, for Cambridgeshire residents, email fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0800 052 0078. And for Peterborough residents, email FosteringandAdoption@Peterborough.gov.uk or call 0800 328 8433.
Leader’s Vlogs
Councillor Steve Count, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and Councillor John Holdich, leader of Peterborough City Council have recorded separate vlogs for residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Councillor Steve Count talks about pubs, bars and restaurants re-opening this Saturday and also stresses the need for residents to take notice of the ongoing safety guidance, reminding people to stay alert and continue practising social distancing. Watch his vlog.
Councillor John Holdich talks about pubs, bars and restaurants re-opening this Saturday in Peterborough, the new NHS Test and Trace app and lasting tributes to Peter Boizot and Dean Peter Peckard. Watch his vlog.
Changes for the shielded community from 6th July
From 6th July, people who are shielding will be able to meet in groups of up to six people from outside their household, as long as they are outdoors and social distancing.
People who live alone (or are a lone adult with dependent children under 18), will also be able to form a support bubble with another household.
At all times people should maintain social distancing and should not share items such as cups and plates.
The changes were announced by the Government previously, along with the pausing of the shielding programme from 1 August. The Countywide hub is here to support members of our shielded community at this time, and want to reassure that help is available to begin the initial transition from shielding starting July 6th.
The Countywide Coordination Hub is supporting members of the shielded community and is supporting people to transition out of shielding if they need it.
If you need support and you don’t have friends, family or neighbours to help you, please visit the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire websites or call 0345 045 5219.
Local Outbreak Control plan launched
As part of the Government’s national strategy to manage and control the pandemic, every area in England needs to develop its own Local Outbreak Control Plan for COVID-19.
In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough our plan – launched last week – builds on tried and tested existing plans for controlling other infectious diseases like tuberculosis.
It relies on working closely with our local communities to reduce the risk of people contracting the disease in the first place by following clear public health messages, but if they do, to establish systems so new cases can be identified quickly to reduce the likelihood of them spreading.
Where clusters of new COVID-19 cases arise our plan will make sure that we identify them swiftly, and working with Public Health England Health Protection Team, put measures in place to control them, so we can support the continued lifting of lockdown restrictions and the continued return to normal life.
You can see the plan and lots of other helpful information explaining the ‘test and trace’ process on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough websites.