Black Country councils unite to establish regional fostering hub

Four Black Country councils are joining forces to establish a regional fostering hub that will transform how foster carers are recruited, supported and retained across the region.

The new fostering hub will bring together the expertise and resources of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to create a stronger, collaborative approach to fostering, making it easier for people to find out about becoming a foster carer and access the training, advice and support available throughout their fostering journey.

By working together, the four local authorities will be able to strengthen recruitment efforts and enhance our support for foster carers, helping to ensure more local children can grow up in safe, stable and loving homes close to the communities they know and value.

The regional hub will build on existing partnerships between the councils, creating a more consistent and coordinated fostering offer across the Black Country. Prospective carers will have a single point of contact to access information and guidance more easily, while benefitting from continued support and development opportunities for those already fostering.

Emma Taylor, Chief Executive for Sandwell Children’s Trust said, “There is a critical need for more foster carers across the Black Country.  We know that and by taking this action to create a regional hub, we will be better placed to recruit foster carers who can provide the safe, stable nurturing homes our children and young people need, in Sandwell and across the Black Country.

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a caring environment where they feel safe, supported, valued and able to thrive and by becoming part of a Black Country fostering hub we are creating a fostering service that is best placed to deliver on that.”

The hub forms part of a major national children's social care reform programme led by the Department for Education, aimed at improving outcomes for children in care, increasing fostering capacity, and enabling more children to remain close to their families, schools and communities.

The Black Country is one of four new fostering hubs in England announced by Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families, and is expected to open later this year.

Thinking about fostering?

If you've ever considered fostering, now is the perfect time to find out more. The new hub will make it easier for people to explore fostering, understand what's involved, and access expert advice and support.

Whether you're just starting to think about fostering or are ready to take the next step, the hub will provide a single point of contact to guide you through the process and connect you with your local fostering service.

More information, including how to get in touch, will be available when the hub launches later this year.

In the meantime, if you'd like to find out more about fostering in Sandwell, please contact Foster Sandwell:

• Call the fostering team on 0800 358 0899
• Email: hello@fostersandwell.co.uk
• Website: fostersandwell.co.uk
• Social media: https://www.facebook.com/foster.sandwell

 

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Editor’s notes:

For further information on GOV.UK about new fostering hubs announced across England: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-profiteers-through-childrens-social-care-shake-up