Eleven local authorities join forces in bid to recruit more foster carers

Eleven local authorities in the East of England are participating in a new initiative which aims to recruit more people to become foster carers.

The ‘Foster East’ initiative, funded by the Department for Education, has been established so councils can collaborate to provide more comprehensive training and support to foster carers.

Hertfordshire County Council, one of the participating authorities, warned there is an “urgent need” for foster carers in the East of England, with more than 7,000 vulnerable children already in the care of their local authority, and a further 150 children coming into care every month.

In Hertfordshire there are 975 children and young people who need homes.

The council noted that although every local authority aims to keep children and young people local to their support networks, a shortage of foster families in the area means this is “not always possible”.

Hertfordshire County Council’s Director of Specialist Services, Miranda Gittos said: “Each council has a slightly different way of working but we all share the same aims: to improve the experience that our foster carers have during the application process, to provide solid training and in-depth support to ensure they can care with confidence, and to increase the number of foster carers working with us across the region so we can keep our children rooted in their local communities.”

The other councils involved in the initiative are: Bedford Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Essex County Council, Luton Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, Peterborough City Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, Suffolk County Council and Thurrock Council.

Cllr Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Through the Foster East Partnership, we are united in our ambition to provide more loving foster families for children in their local area.

“By fostering with your local council, you are supporting children, teenagers and families from your own communities. This means you are helping to minimise the disruption to their lives: staying local means that children can continue to attend their usual school, see their friends and family members, and participate in their usual activities, whilst having the support they need in a safe home environment.”

Foster East will give people considering fostering the opportunity to speak to an advisor from 8am to 8pm daily, and the chance to talk to an experienced foster carer to find out more about what the role involves.

Further information can be found on the Foster East website.

Lottie Winson