Cambridgeshire County Council Update 14th April
Published: 15 April 2020
Urgent appeal for foster carers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
A campaign to urgently boost the number of people fostering to support children across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough during the coronavirus crisis has been launched. The number of people enquiring about becoming foster carers has dipped, with the immediate need being for teenagers, children with additional needs and sibling groups. Both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are launching a ‘Call for Action’ urging people who can help to change the lives of children and young people to become foster carers and provide loving, supportive homes as demand for the service increases.
During COVID-19, we are taking all the necessary steps during the fostering process to follow the government advice, for example, we can conduct initial visits virtually and have made arrangements to do so. If your application progresses then we will discuss the next stages with you which will include a face to face visit as part of the assessment process, this will adhere to the social distancing rules at all times.
People who believe they can make a positive difference to a child’s life are encouraged to contact both council’s today. All carers receive training, 24 hour access to support, along with allowances. As a foster carer you need to have the time, patience and determination to support and help vulnerable children and young people who are living away from their families. You will need to be over 21 and have a spare bedroom in your home.
Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council encourage you to find out more about fostering, visit: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering email fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0800 052 0078
Visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/fostering email FosteringandAdoption@Peterborough.gov.uk or call 0800 328 8433.
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Trading Standards warns about Coronavirus personal protective goods
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards Service are asking local residents to report any online products claiming to protect people against coronavirus that haven’t been provided by a reputable supplier or nationally approved. This could be home-made sanitisers, genuine looking face masks claiming protection and coronavirus swabbing kits. These products can often be dangerous and unsafe. This is a time when unscrupulous criminals will attempt to make illegal profit and prey on the fears of the most vulnerable in our society.
In addition to cracking down on such products, you might also be interested to read the latest Public Health England blog about personal protective equipment (known as ‘PPE’) and what is being recommended for the necessary excursions we are having to make. For the vast majority you will find in fact the recommendation is to use no PPE but instead to adopt thorough hand washing practices and social distancing.
Members of the public can contact the Trading Service via the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 223 1133
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Dr Liz Robin vlog thanking everyone staying at home for Easter
Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, thanks everyone who observed the government’s stay at home rules over the Easter Bank Holiday, and reminds us that by doing this together we can continue to save lives in our local communities.
Click here to watch today’s video blog.
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Cambridgeshire distillery produces hand sanitiser for frontline care staff
Cambridgeshire based artisan Gin Distillery Roundwood, who are based in the village of Abbots Ripton, have kindly offered to donate ten litres of hand sanitiser free of charge to council social workers and personal advisers to help them continue their vital roles.
The sanitiser will ensure that front line staff are keeping themselves and young people in care safe during visitations.
Rupert Waters, Co-founder of Roundwood Gin, said: “Once the Government relaxed the licensing requirements for production a couple of weeks ago, we felt we had to take the opportunity and do something to help the heroic key workers in our community.
“These dedicated staff are providing an excellent service to young people and we hope that Roundwood can help, even if in a small way, to support the incredible work they’re doing.”
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Schools on song to support Countywide Covid-19 response
Fantastic support from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough schools saw 159 opening on Good Friday and a further 148 open on Bank Holiday Monday, supporting vulnerable children, or the children of key workers to help keep essential services like the NHS working. Around 30% of the available early year’s providers were working too. As well as continuing to provide as much of the curriculum as possible, schools are coming up with innovative and inventive ways of keeping in touch with their communities – such as this example from Stukeley Meadows Primary School in Huntingdon, a video medley featuring some very familiar faces.