The Barking and Dagenham Fostering Team marked the annual celebration of foster carers by launching a new-look website for new carers or those who may wish to transfer to our service.
The new council fostering website provides a clearer, more accessible way for residents to learn about fostering, hear real stories from local carers, and find step‑by‑step guidance on how to begin their fostering journey. It has been designed to make the process simpler, more transparent, and more welcoming for anyone considering opening their home to a child in need.
As part of Foster Care Fortnight, foster carers from Barking and Dagenham, alongside members of the council’s fostering team, attended a special reception hosted by The Fostering Network at the House of Lords. The event brought together carers, sector leaders, and policymakers to celebrate the vital role foster families play across the country.
Hannah Hylton, a Hub Home Foster Carer with Barking & Dagenham Council for over six years, also gave a heartfelt speech at a Fostering Network event at the House of Lords.
In her speech at the House of Lords, Hannah said: “We aren’t extraordinary people; we simply make space in our ordinary lives so children can experience family, stability, and everyday normality.
“As the proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child, and our children in care experience exactly that. They gain extended family, genuine relationships, and adults who delight in them, celebrate them, and comfort them when things are hard.”
Barking and Dagenham Council continues to invest in its fostering community, offering a comprehensive package of support, including:
- Specialist training tailored to each stage of the fostering journey
- Generous financial allowances to help carers provide stable, nurturing homes
- Support from a dedicated social work team and a monthly therapeutic clinic
- Peer networks and mentoring for our carers, and regular activities for our children
Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest fostering awareness campaign, shining a light on the extraordinary work of foster carers and encouraging more people to consider fostering.
Anyone interested in learning more or starting their fostering journey can visit the new website at https://fostering.lbbd.gov.uk/.