Black Country ready to embrace national changes to fostering

A new Department for Education campaign is calling on more people across the Black Country to consider fostering.

The nationwide campaign is encouraging people who already have the qualities needed to foster to come forward and consider making a difference to a child's life. Everyday acts of care, from helping with homework to sharing a meal, can help children feel safe, supported and settled, while making a lasting difference to their future

As part of the national drive to recruit more foster carers, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils have come together to establish Black Country Fostering, a regional fostering hub that will transform how foster carers are recruited, supported and retained across the region.

New government research reveals that many people believe they could be good foster carers. However, misconceptions about who can foster may be leading people to needlessly rule themselves out. Around one in five mistakenly believe foster carers must earn above a certain income (22%), own their home (20%) or be married or in a long-term relationship (18%). 

Having previous childcare experience or qualifications was the most commonly selected perceived requirement to become a foster carer in England, with 29% of survey respondents in the West Midlands selecting it.

The national campaign aims to reassure people that training, guidance and ongoing support can help them develop the skills and confidence they need to foster and encourages anyone considering fostering to find out more before ruling themselves out.

Fostering is more possible than you think. Before ruling yourself out, find out more. Visit fostering.campaign.gov.uk to learn about fostering and what it could look like where you live and use the postcode checker to find your local fostering service.