Fostering Friendly

We’re excited to introduce our new "Foster-Friendly Hull Workplaces" scheme!

This initiative encourages local businesses, organisations, and schools to support foster carers in our community. By becoming a foster-friendly workplace, you can make a real difference in the lives of foster carers and the children they care for.

Why it's important for Hull

Hull has one of the highest populations of looked after children in the UK, and we need more local foster carers to provide stable, loving homes. By supporting foster carers, local businesses can help ensure that children in care can stay in the city they know and love, surrounded by familiar schools, friends, and communities.

Benefits of joining the scheme

• Support for Foster Carers - Can you offer special discounts or promotions to foster carers, provide flexible working arrangements, and share fostering recruitment messages within your networks?
• Community Engagement - You could help participate in local events and campaigns organised by Hull Fostering to raise awareness about fostering or display "Foster-Friendly Hull" promotional materials to show your support.
• Recognition - You will receive public acknowledgment on Hull Fostering's website, social media channels, and promotional materials as a "Foster-Friendly Hull" supporter.
• Community Impact - You will contribute to the well-being of foster carers and children in Hull, creating a positive impact within the community.
• Networking Opportunities - You’ll be invited to exclusive events and networking opportunities with other "Foster-Friendly Hull" supporters and stakeholders.
• Enhanced Reputation - You’ll be recognised as a socially responsible entity that supports foster carers and the fostering community.
• Optional National Accreditation - Sign up for the Fostering Network’s national accreditation, which includes providing five additional days of annual leave for foster carers.

Join us in building a Foster-Friendly Hull

By joining the 'Foster-Friendly Hull' scheme, your business can make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster carers and children, while also benefiting from increased recognition and community engagement. We invite all eligible entities to become part of this important initiative and help us build a foster-friendly Hull.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer or just want to learn more about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you every step of the way

Get in touch

You can also sign up for a free national accreditation via the Fostering Network.

A huge thank you to those businesses already supporting foster carers.

Hull City Council

Councillor Linda Tock, the portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council

We believe that providing practical assistance to Hull City Council employees who choose to foster some of the most vulnerable children in our city is both pioneering and puts the needs of our looked-after children first. By enabling these employees to access paid time off to meet their caring commitments, we are taking a significant step forward.

Amending our HR policy to allow 5 extra paid leave days per year for foster care duties will not only create more opportunities for employees to support our children and young people in need of loving homes, but also have a significant positive impact on the lives of the children being fostered. We are proud to be a fostering-friendly local authority and encourage businesses of all sizes to join this free scheme.

Hull University

Sarah Wilson, Chief People Officer

I’m extremely proud that we’re supporting the valuable and important work of Hull Fostering and the Fostering Network. Being a Foster Friendly Employer means that we are helping to raise awareness among our staff and students about fostering and the need for more foster carers. We have also committed to providing time off for our staff to support them with the necessary training and commitments.

As an anchor institution in the City of Hull, social justice is of the utmost importance to us and is at the core of our mission and strategy. We know that Hull has a high number of looked after children, and as a major employer in the city we believe we have a responsibility to work with local partners and to support our community in providing a safe and nurturing environment where our young people can thrive.

Humberside Police

Kelly Harrison, HR Services Manager

Humberside Police have partnered with Hull Fostering and The Fostering Network to become a Fostering Friendly Employer.

The UK is currently experiencing a foster care crisis. The demand for homes for children and young people who have been placed into care far outweighs the number of available fostering households and foster carers. Nationally there is a shortage of around 9,000 foster families and in the Hull City Council area alone there are currently around 800 children who have been taken into care who need and do not have a foster home.

Choosing to become a foster carer can make such a vital difference to a child or young person in need of a home, alongside having a significant impact on their future. Therefore, we have pledged our commitment to being a Fostering Friendly Employer and have introduced our foster carer’s Leave Policy to assist anyone who applies to become, or who is already approved as a foster carer.

The policy outlines the support provided by the force for time away from work in order to meet your required responsibilities as a foster carer, including attendance at assessments, training and child review meetings. This support is available to anyone who is going through approval to become, or who is already a foster carer with any registered foster care service.

Stagecoach

Martin McDougall, Operations Manager

We are lucky to have a fantastic team of foster carers here at Stagecoach. They truly go above and beyond to provide children and young people with a safe and loving home, helping them achieve their goals and thrive. While fostering certainly has its challenges, it is also incredibly fulfilling. That's why we are thrilled to be a fostering-friendly employer, supporting our team every step of the way!