In Barking and Dagenham there are a number of children in care that need your help to give them a safe and loving home, once the lockdown is over.

Fostering Fortnight, starting next week and the council’s fostering team are looking for experienced foster carers and new applicants to join our team to help us make a difference to the lives of our borough’s children. 

We know there are plenty of myths when it comes to becoming a foster carer, but the facts are that with Barking and Dagenham, as long as you are over the age of 25 with a spare bedroom you can apply to foster. Whether you are single, in a secure relationship, married, and of any religious or sexual orientation – it doesn’t matter, call us now.

“I’ve fostered with Barking & Dagenham for 7 years now, coming from an IFA previously, and I’m so glad I made the move!  The levels of support from the Fostering Team, and the Training and Development opportunities we receive are just second to none” – Javid, Ilford.

“I’ve fostered for Barking & Dagenham for nearly 30 years, and I wouldn’t consider changing. I am a Mockingbird Foster Carer, and as a group of 8 families we foster together as a ‘family of carers’. We’re well supported and we support each other too” – Gaye, Dagenham.

Approved carers at Barking and Dagenham receive excellent training, comprehensive support and a healthy renumeration when looking after a child.

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration said: “During this challenging time, we have all been spending more time at home, thinking about the future and what that might hold for us.

“This week marks the start of fostering fortnight and we're on the lookout for local residents to help children who need a loving home. So, if you’ve realised that you’ve got the space in your heart and home to change the life of a child, you can apply online today at www.lbbd.gov.uk/fostering or by calling our fostering team on 020 8227 5988.”