We're asking local organisations to help raise awareness of this dire situation. By spreading the word, we can find more passionate people to become foster carers. This will give more children in Essex the chance of a safe home, and better future.
Our only motivation is helping vulnerable children thrive
Potential foster carers choose between fostering with their local council, or an agency. Many fostering agencies are businesses, with profit goals and stakeholders to impress. Instead, fostering with Essex supports more children, instead of funding a business. See other reasons to foster with Essex.
Can you work while fostering?
Fostering is a flexible role and you can foster from one weekend a month. Many foster carers balance their current job, family and hobbies, with fostering. Reports show almost 40% of all UK foster carers combine fostering with other work.
Our fostering team work with every family to choose a type of fostering that works for them. Mental health is important too, we don't want anyone to feel overwhelmed.
Our foster carers have access to:
- 24/7 support from local social workers
- in-person and virtual support groups
- networking events with other fostering families
- mental health professionals
See other support our foster carers receive.
Our foster carers help children unlock their full potential
Cara fostered Charlotte, a teenager who is now studying to become a social worker.
“I don’t see Cara as my foster carer, she’s like my mum. She got me into a good school, encouraged me to get good grades, she wants me to be the best that I can be. I wouldn’t be sat here today if I stayed where I was, Cara has changed everything for me.”
How your organisation can help
A lot of Essex's organisations share social values. Being kind, compassionate and caring for vulnerable children is at the core of Essex.
Some ways your organisation can share the message of fostering with Essex, to deliver your social values.
By sharing our marketing content
Foster carers simply need to be kind, patient and ready to change a young person's life. Becoming a foster carer may not be the right option for your team, but it could be for your audience.
By sharing content, you could help us raise awareness and reach the right people. We can supply marketing content, ready for you to copy and share.
Host a fostering information event
Becoming a foster carer comes with a lot of questions, understandably. Our fostering team host a range of in-person, and virtual, information events. This is a casual space to ask our foster carers and social work team any questions they may have. Hosting an event in your workspace can help us be present in more communities.
Become Fostering Friendly
Fostering Friendly is a workplace initiative from the Fostering Network, a fostering charity. In early 2024, Essex County Council became a Fostering Friendly employer.
This offers HR support, for colleagues who foster, to balance their roles at work and home. It's free - and relatively easy - to join.
Work with our marketing team
Our friendly team are happy to work together to shape content, that works for your audience. Pop us an email and we can arrange a chat.