Wokingham Borough Council has joined forces with councils across the South East to create the largest local authority fostering recruitment partnership in a bid to increase the number of foster carers across the region.
There is an urgent need to recruit more people to provide safe, loving and local homes for children, with more than 11,000 children in care and fewer than 3,000 local authority approved foster carers in the South East.
Launched last week, Local Authority Fostering South East is a new virtual fostering hub bringing together the expertise of 20 councils from across the region.
The new hub will ensure prospective foster carers have access to a centralised platform for their initial enquiries about fostering and will see local authorities work collaboratively to provide the best support, right from the start of a carer’s fostering journey.
Prospective foster carers will also benefit from a new fostering ambassador scheme, enabling them to speak to an existing carer to find out what this life-changing role is really like.
Local Authority Fostering South East will be running marketing campaigns to raise awareness of this unique role and encourage more people to take the next step and become foster carers with their local council. In doing so they will benefit from comprehensive local training, generous financial assistance, and ongoing support from a non-profit organisation.
Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said: “Our fostering team and foster carers do fantastic work for local children who need safe and loving homes.
“This new partnership is a great opportunity for us to reach even more prospective foster carers and share expertise with colleagues across the South East.”
Natasha Sampson, South East regional strategic lead, added: “This is a really exciting time for fostering.
“For the first time in the South East, we are leveraging the collective skills, knowledge, resources and support of 20 local authorities to ensure children and young people have a stable home, in a loving family, which they all deserve.
“The new hub will make this possible by increasing the number of local foster carers and making sure they are well supported through their recruitment journey and beyond.
“I would urge anyone interested in fostering to get in touch with us to find out more about becoming a foster carer with your local authority.”
More information on becoming a foster carer can be found on the new regional website and by following Local Authority Fostering South East on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Those interested in fostering can also contact the regional hub directly to speak to a member of the recruitment team by calling 0300 131 2797.
