New fire station opening doors to public Fire engines and equipment used to tackle blazes will be on show to the public at a new fire station on Monday. Woking Fire station, which has relocated to Goldsworth Road, will throw open its doors for the first time from 4pm to 6pm. Those attending will get … Continue reading
Listen to Cabinet Member for Children and Families’ Wellbeing Clare Curran talk to BBC Surrey about the county council’s drive to recruit more social workers by offering incentive payments of up to £15,000. Audio courtesy of BBC Surrey
Surrey’s approach to keeping children in care out of custody was today praised in an independent review chaired by Lord Laming. The cross-bench peer’s report for the Prison Reform Trust found action needs to be taken to prevent children in care being “sucked into the criminal justice system for trivial reasons”. He highlighted how the work done … Continue reading
Every 20 minutes a child comes into care in England and more foster carers are needed to give them a loving home. With Foster Care Fortnight getting underway today, 25 Surrey foster carers have shared their favourite 20 minutes of fostering last year. To find out more about fostering in Surrey, visit Surrey County Council’s … Continue reading
A Surrey couple who have cared for 269 children over 40 years are among the country’s busiest foster carers. With Foster Care Fortnight getting underway on Monday, Pam and Graham are appealing to others to open their homes and hearts to children who need a family to look after them. The Farnham couple, who have … Continue reading
Have your say on fire safety plan People are being invited to have their say on the fire and rescue service’s Public Safety Plan for the county at a series of public meetings. The 10-year plan sets out how firefighters will respond to a greater number and wider range of call-outs while also making efficiency … Continue reading
New High Sheriff of Surrey takes over Richard Whittington has taken over as the new High Sheriff of Surrey at a ceremony at Guildford Cathedral. Mr Whittington, who is from Chobham and is a distant relative of former Lord Mayor of London Dick Whittington, takes over from Mrs Elizabeth Kennedy and began work on Friday … Continue reading
A new campaign aims to highlight the role everyone in the community can play in protecting children from abuse and neglect. Surrey County Council is supporting the national Together We Can Tackle Child Abuse campaign which urges members of the public to report any concerns so that support can be given to all children and … Continue reading
A voluntary smoking ban is being launched in children’s play areas across Surrey. The scheme will rely on the goodwill of people using them and will be supported by signs featuring artwork by local children. It is being launched by boroughs and districts with the help of Surrey County Council’s public health team to coincide … Continue reading
Fostering open evening An event to help find more foster carers in Surrey is being held by the county council. The open evening, which takes place on Monday 29 February, will give people the chance to find out more about what fostering is like. Those interested in attending the event, which runs from 7-9pm at … Continue reading
Linda Kemeny highlighted rising demand for school places in Surrey when she met Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Education, at the Howard of Effingham School. Mrs Kemeny, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational Achievement, was joined by Mrs Morgan and Sir Paul Beresford, MP for Mole Valley, for a … Continue reading
A Surrey County Council highways worker who fosters child asylum-seekers has welcomed the authority becoming a fostering friendly employer. Mark Davies will get more help to balance his work and caring responsibilities now the county council has begun formally recognising the needs of staff who give a loving home to vulnerable children. Mr Davies, of … Continue reading
Canadian rugby team visit Witley Camp A Canadian rugby team playing in an international competition running alongside the World Cup has visited a former Surrey military camp to learn about their First World War ancestors. The Canadian Defence Rugby Team took a tour of Witley Camp, near Guildford, where volunteers recently participated in an archaeological … Continue reading
Trading standards officers are warning that bleach-like chemicals touted as a miracle cure for cancer and other diseases could be on sale at an event in Surrey this weekend. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards* is concerned that potentially harmful products will be available to buy or consume at an event being held in the Farnham … Continue reading
A mum who has fostered a 15-year-old is appealing to others to offer a loving home to a teenager who needs one. As Foster Care Fortnight gets underway, Vicky is urging would-be foster families to consider opening their homes to teenagers as well as babies and younger children. She says her experience of fostering a … Continue reading