Fostering South West represents a partnership among the 15 local councils from across the south west of England. For the first time, fostering services across the region are collaborating to actively recruit essential prospective foster carers and come together to improve the retention of foster carers, via the Mockingbird scheme.
Anyone considering fostering will benefit from a single support hub, providing prospective foster carers with additional support from the first steps on their journey. The regional project is supported by the Department for Education.
Foster in your community
As a collaboration of fostering services, the local authority fostering teams are bringing together a collective in-depth experience and knowledge of our communities, the needs of families, children and the young people in our care. Our commitment is to work together and share resources to give foster carers and children in care the best possible experiences of fostering with their local authorities.
Fostering South West partners include:
The number of children entering our care system is rising across the South West. At the same time, fewer people are choosing to become foster carers. Through our collaboration, we hope to grow the number of fostering households that can make a difference to the vulnerable children and young people in need in our communities.
This follows the strategy outlined in ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’, the Government’s response to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which recognised the urgent need to change the way local authorities recruit and retain foster carers.
We need people like you
We need foster carers from all walks of life who can offer a safe, stable family environment for babies, children, young people and teenagers in our region. We also need carers for children and young people from ethnic minority groups, brother and sister groups and for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or additional needs.
We’re on this journey together
Choosing to become a foster carer is a big decision. Wherever you are in your fostering journey, we’re here to answer questions, signpost you to information and help you make an informed choice about how you can make fostering work for you and your family.
Our team works in partnership with the local authority where you live to ensure that from initial enquiry to assessment and beyond, you have the information you need and feel supported in your journey.
Read our stories
Want to find out what fostering is really like from those that are currently local council foster carers? Click the button below to access our Fostering Stories page. Hear you can access stories from foster carers, like linda, as well as keeping up-to-date with our latest news.
Our Processes and Safeguarding
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. We are closed evenings, weekends and bank holidays. We will respond to all fostering enquiries withing two working days, however we aim to complete this within one working day.
If you have any concerns about a child or young person please get in touch with the Childrens’ Services safeguarding and child protection teams (MASH, Front Door) within the appropriate local council. If the child is in immediate risk, dial 999 and ask for police assistance.
Ready to begin your journey as a foster carer?
If you’d like more information, get in touch and speak to one of our friendly team…