A recent report from Leeds City Council highlights the city’s proactive efforts to recruit and support foster carers in response to the rising demand for child placements.
The report, which is set to be discussed by senior councillors at the next Wednesday’s executive board meeting, outlines a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the foster care system in Leeds. In a significant recruitment push, Leeds has successfully enlisted 113 new foster carers, including 88 kinship carers. This move is part of a broader strategy to keep children within their family networks wherever possible, aligning with the city’s commitment to maintain familial connections and provide continuity and stability for children in care.
The city has also ramped up its recruitment campaigns, which have seen a significant increase in interest, with an average of 45 expressions of interest per month from September 2024 onwards. To further support these efforts, Leeds has added two new full-time roles dedicated to enhancing engagement and partnership work, crucial for both recruiting new carers and retaining existing ones.
Recognizing the importance of diversity in caregiving, Leeds is actively working to recruit carers from various ethnic backgrounds. Collaborations with Child Friendly Leeds and other community initiatives include hosting ambassador events designed to break down barriers and raise awareness about the opportunities and benefits of becoming a foster carer.
The launch of a new dedicated Foster 4 Leeds website marks another step forward, providing prospective and current foster carers with comprehensive information about the different types of fostering, benefits, and support available. This resource is designed to educate and inform, making the process of becoming a foster carer as transparent and accessible as possible.
A new service initiative, the ‘reunification’ service, has been implemented to facilitate the safe return of children to their birth families while ensuring ongoing support from foster carers. This service underscores the city’s focus on child welfare and the importance of family reunification whenever it is safe and feasible.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families said:
“Children do their best living in families and these proposals go a long way to enhance the health and wellbeing of our looked after children and ensure they grow and thrive in family environments. We are utterly committed to supporting all carers in this vital role and enabling fostering to be a rewarding experience, giving a real purpose to truly help change lives.
“I would encourage anyone interested to please take a look at our new website and consider joining our incredible legion of foster and kinship carers who provide that crucial consistency in care for our city’s vulnerable children. Being able to place children within Leeds has many benefits – not least enabling young people to retain strong relationships with their birth family, continue at school and access all the benefits of living within our child friendly city.”
The report also details a full program of enrichment activities and family fun days specifically tailored for foster families, with an increased frequency of events during school holidays. These activities are designed to provide support, respite, and enjoyable experiences for both carers and children, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Looking ahead, Leeds is set to expand these benefits further following a successful network event that connected over 70 local and national companies and organizations eager to support foster families. These partnerships are expected to bring new opportunities and resources to foster carers and their families, enhancing the overall fostering experience in Leeds. As demand for foster care continues to rise, Leeds is making significant strides in ensuring that its response not only meets the immediate needs but also builds a robust, supportive, and diverse fostering community for the future.
To review the annual fostering report that will be discussed by the executive board, please visit the Council and Democracy section (agenda item 10).
For additional details about fostering opportunities in Leeds, please visit the Foster 4 Leeds.
