We're joining forces to improve the lives and futures of the children in our local communities. Join us.
The number of children needing foster care in the UK has been rising since 2011. At the same time, the number of registered foster carers has declined. There are now a third (33%) less approved foster carers than one year ago.
Recruiting more people like you to become foster carers means you are helping children and young people:
- remain in the local area, nearer to familiar surroundings where possible
- not wait as long to find the right home
- find a place where they can stay without being separated from their brothers and sisters
Foster carers offer security, safety and stability at times of confusion and worry for children.
We need foster carers for all types of fostering and from all different backgrounds. If we work together across the region, we can positively change the lives of children in our communities.
Support, collaboration and a community that cares
Foster with us wants the best for our children. We know the way to achieve this is to provide the best for our foster carers, both existing and new. We have developed a service that puts you at the centre.
We need to make sure we are getting the right people for our children with a thorough applications process.
This can sometimes feel overwhelming for new people considering fostering as an option. So our hub focuses on being there for you every step of the way. Everything is designed to make sure fostering is the right choice for you and that we are the people you would like to foster for.
Putting children first
Everything we do is about the lives of our children, shaping their future to be the best it can be. The hub runs as a not-for-profit organisation, with everything going back in towards fostering and the care of the child. Every penny of the money available to us is spent on finding homes for children by recruiting and training our own foster carers - none of it goes towards business profits like it does when we have to place children with a fostering agency.
You know you can feel truly rewarded if you foster with us. We work hard to ensure quality matches, so that we place the right children in the right homes. This is important for the child, and important for the foster carer too. It is the best chance to ensure long-term success.
Often keeping a child in their community is the best option for them, as it offers the least disruption to their lives. We do our best to place them in familiar surroundings. This means not only are you caring for children from your own community, they will fit into your lives in the local area.
Enhanced support
All of our foster carers receive an exceptional benefits, support and training package. The hub has a friendly, dedicated team here to answer all your questions. They will talk through all your options. If you decide you want to start the application process, they will be with you every step of the way.
Not only will our team be with you, you will also have the support of existing foster carers and young people, through our Foster with us Buddy Scheme. From the very start of your application you will have a dedicated buddy who is already a foster carer. You can contact them with any questions you have as you go through the process.
Once you are approved, your support team will include the Foster with us team, an Assessing Social Worker and representatives from your local authority.
For existing foster carers we are introducing our pioneering Mockingbird programme. It's an innovative method of delivering foster care using an extended family model which provides sleepovers, peer support, regular joint planning and training and social activities.
Bespoke training
As a prospective foster carer you will get pre-approval training, as well as help and advice from your individual local authority.
Once you are an approved foster carer, you'll have access to free ongoing training to support your professional development.
You will also become part of the Foster with us fostering community where you'll be able to access events, activities and support groups organised by us and your local authority.
All under one roof
When you are fostering for your local council, you are joining a substantial team of people who all work for the same organisation, and who are all focused on the needs of the child. The council is also responsible for education, Special Educational Needs (SEND) support, the virtual school and school transport.
The council has dedicated links with health and care services – made even stronger with the introduction of new integrated care systems (ICS). You will also have a local support network. All the people you work with will be from your area, including other foster carers, meaning less travel.
Get in touch
Our team of fostering experts are always on hand to help. Speak to our fostering hub co-ordinators to find out why our partnership is the best way to start your fostering journey.