Ellie Ames 09 July 2024

Councils create largest fostering partnership

Councils create largest fostering partnership image
Image: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com

Twenty councils in the south east of England have formed the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership in a bid to boost the number of carers in the region.

The virtual fostering hub, which launched yesterday, will offer prospective carers access to a centralised platform for their enquiries, and marketing campaigns will raise awareness of the role of a carer.

Prospective foster carers will also be able to speak to an existing carer through a new ambassador scheme.

There are more than 11,000 children in care across the region but fewer than 3,000 local authority approved foster carers.

The south east region is one of nine to form a fostering hub through a Department for Education funded pilot scheme.

Regional strategic lead Natasha Sampson said: ‘For the first time in the south east, we are leveraging the collective skills, knowledge, resources and support of 20 local authorities to make sure children and young people have a stable home, in a loving family, which they all deserve.’

The local authorities involved are:

  • Achieving for Children (London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead)
  • Bracknell Forest Council
  • Brighton and Hove City Council 
  • East Sussex County Council 
  • Hampshire County Council 
  • Isle of Wight Council 
  • Kent County Council 
  • Medway Council
  • Milton Keynes City Council
  • Oxfordshire County Council 
  • Portsmouth City Council 
  • Brighter Futures for Children (Reading)
  • Slough Borough Council 
  • Southampton City Council 
  • Surrey County Council
  • West Berkshire Council
  • West Sussex County Council
  • Wokingham Borough Council

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner