A new regional fostering hub for the East Midlands has been launched. The collaboration between councils in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has been made possible after the D2N2 authorities secured £1.626m in government funding.
The four authorities successfully applied last year to join the Department for Education’s Fostering Recruitment and Retention programme. Derby City Council is leading on the project, receiving the funding to implement the regional hub and create a ‘Mockingbird constellation’ in each local authority area.
The DfE Recruitment and Retention Programme aims to increase the recruitment of foster carers and provide the support carers need to continue in the role. With more carers in children’s own communities, less young people would need to be placed in unfamiliar areas.
Foster for East Midlands is a recruitment hub which will engage with prospective foster carers from their initial enquiry through to submission of their full application. The funding will also help improve the support available for existing foster carers across the region, empowering them to create loving, stable homes for children in need.
Councillor John Whitby, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Learning and Skills, said: “Foster for East Midlands is a game-changer for fostering across the D2N2 partnership area. The new regional recruitment hub makes it easier than ever to find potential foster carers. This means more young people in need will have access to stable, loving homes in their community.”
Councillor Julie Patten, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “We desperately need to recruit more foster carers across the region and this hub will allow us to do this. Our foster carers do a wonderful job the extra support this will provide will help ensure stronger matches between children and families and make fostering placements more stable.”
Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Nottingham City Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Education, said: “This new regional hub will work across our four local authority areas to ensure the best outcomes for children who need a foster home. We’re committed to welcoming diverse families and individuals into the fostering community, ensuring every child finds the right placement.”
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Nottinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Fostering for us means you are helping children in your local area. As a non-profit organisation, Foster for East Midlands aims to place children with our own foster carers before contacting other agencies. Sharing your heart and home can shape a child's life and future for the better, so if you are interested in being a foster carer, please get in touch.”
To find out more about fostering and to enquire, visit the brand-new new website or call 03033 132950. A new recruitment team is waiting for your call and on hand to offer you support every step of the way.
Information events are a great way to find out more about fostering, hear from fostering staff and often from foster carers and foster children and young people. There is also a chance to ask any questions you might have – either in a group setting or one on one. There is no obligation. You can book onto an event on this website.