Foster Care Fortnight begins next week, and this is everything you need to know about the campaign.

The event is the biggest foster care awareness raising campaign in the UK, and is delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.

The campaign begun in 1997, with the aim of showcasing the commitment, dedication and passion of foster carers across the country.

It supports fostering services in the UK, highlighting the need for more foster carers, as well as shining a light on those who already provide invaluable care to fostered children.

The Leader:

The event runs from Monday, May 15 until Sunday, May 28.

The Fostering Network explained: “Whether you’re a foster carer, a social worker, young person, Fostering Friendly employer or supporter of foster care you are part of a community making a real difference to the lives of young people, and we want you all to get involved in the Foster Care Fortnight celebration.

“You can see what events are taking place around the UK here - joining instructions are provided on each event listing.”

How to become a foster parent?

The process of becoming a foster parent can take up to eight months to complete and involves multiple steps.

Your first action will be to apply to become a foster parent through your local council or through an independent fostering agency.

You will then be asked to go on a preparation course ready for fostering. Every adult that lives in your home will also have to pass an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

Social workers will assess you and your family in order to check that you are able to provide suitable care to a foster child.

During the process you will be asked your preference about the children you’d like to care for, such as age and gender.

The fostering service will review your application and you will be required to meet with the panel who will then make their recommendation before the final decision on your application is made.

Once approved the fostering service will add you to their approved list of available foster parents, and will send you a profile of any child they think is a good fit.

What does a foster parent do?

Your responsibilities as a foster parent include:

  • caring for the child, along with local authorities, schools, health professionals, and the child’s birth family.
  • Keeping records and reports about your child’s progress
  • Attending meetings and advocating for your child
  • Attending training to support you and your child’s relationship
  • Helping the child manage their behaviour