Become a Fostering Friendly organisation

In Essex, we have over 1,000 children in care. We are seeing an unprecedented number of children who need help, but a decline in foster carers too. By sharing a stable home, foster carers change vulnerable children's lives.

Since 2024, Essex County Council are a Fostering Friendly organisation. This is a free accreditation, from The Fostering Network. Members join the initiative, and adopt a Fostering Friendly HR policy. For example, at Essex County Council we offer time off for carer training or settling a new child into their home.

The scheme has minimal impact on businesses, but can change a child's life forever. An organisation (of any size) can join and make a difference in their community. All while showing support for their employees at the same time too.

Please visit our website for information on how to become Fostering Friendly.

There are various ways your organisation can help us find loving homes for children in care. You could share our social media content on your channels, display our posters, offer space for information events or invite us to your events so our team can chat with interested members of the public. Sign up to our partner newsletter to receive news, updated content, and information to share about fostering with Essex County Council.

If you have any questions please direct them in the first instance to Fostering Marketing email inbox fostering.marketing@essex.gov.uk

If you are not based in Essex or a large proportion of your workforce is based in another part of the UK that isn’t a problem either. Our experience mirrors a national picture and any local Authority would appreciate the same support for foster carers.