Hull Fostering invites people to explore Foster Care Fortnight

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s largest foster carer awareness and recruitment campaign. This year it takes place from Monday 10th to Sunday 23rd May.

The theme for Foster Care Fortnight 2021 is #WhyWeCare and Hull Fostering is celebrating the great work its carers do for local children in care and the need for more foster carers.

​Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by a leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Established for almost 20 years, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers whilst highlighting the ne​ed for more.

In 2021, over 8,000 new foster families are needed across the UK alone to care for a range of children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

This campaign and the recruitment of foster carers remains just as crucial, if not more so, since the Covid-19 lockdown, as children still come into care and need placements. Hull City Council Fostering is currently recruiting across our local area. It supports all of its foster carers with a generous financial allowance, your own fostering social worker to support and guide your fostering journey, and mentoring by Experienced Carers. There are also fun days out, events and foster carer discounts for families, and membership of the Fostering Network as a source of independent support and advice.

In these challenging times, Hull Fostering needs new foster carers and is still taking enquiries and processing applications, making use of all the technology available in order to respect social distancing measures.

Upcoming events:

·       Drop-in info event at St Stephen’s Shopping Centre – Tuesday 11th May, 10am-2pm

·       Online info event via Microsoft Teams – Thursday 13th May at 10:30am (please contact Hull Fostering for an invite)

·       Online info event via Microsoft Teams – Thursday 20th May at 6pm (please contact Hull Fostering for an invite)

·       Drop-in info event at St Stephen’s Shopping Centre – Friday 21st May, 10am-2pm

Judith Dent, Group Manager at Hull Fostering, says: “You can make a really positive difference to a child’s life by becoming a foster carer. Our valued foster carers are patient, understanding and have a genuine commitment to make a difference to a child’s life. Whilst we are proud of our current foster carers, we need more to provide family-based care to as many children who are in care as we can.

“Even during these unprecedented times, we are still actively processing enquiries/applications and approving new carers. Our team are ready to chat to anyone who may be interested in becoming a foster carer or supported lodgings provider with Hull Fostering. We have many types of fostering available to you, whether that be as a full-time carer or helping and supporting other carers with regular respite and support. We also have great training available to help introduce you to fostering.

“To be a foster carer you undertake an assessment of your suitability, which we can start with you through telephone and video conference calls (if required) to help you on your journey to fostering with us.

“Carers must be over 21, have a spare bedroom at home and live within 30 miles of Hull to foster with Hull City Council Fostering. As well as excellent training and ongoing support that we are constantly enhancing, foster carers receive great weekly financial support from £154 – £270+ per child/per week, plus we have skills-related payments once you gain experience and complete training.

“Hull Fostering is the largest agency providing foster care in our local area, with over 930 Hull children currently looked after by the local authority . The team encourages anyone who lives in Hull or within 30 miles who may be interested in fostering to get in touch on 01482 612800 or via fostering@hullcc.gov.uk. You can also contact us through Facebook.”

[James Hall – Hull City Council]