Lewisham Council opens new Fostering Hub in celebration with local foster carers
The Hub will be a single place for residents interested in becoming foster carers to find out more and for current foster carers to receive the support and training they need, all with the aim of giving local children the loving and safe homes they deserve.
The opening of this Fostering Hub is part of the Council’s priority campaign to recruit 30 new foster carers this year. The Hub will become the home of the Fostering Service where foster carer recruitment, training, and support groups can take place all under one roof.
Lewisham Council has nearly 500 children in its care, and new foster carers are always welcome. Lewisham foster carers come from a range of backgrounds, from professionals looking for a meaningful career change to people who want to continue to make a difference in their retirement. Single people and those will children at home can foster. Foster carers received competitive allowances, training and support in their roles.
Councillor Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I am extremely excited to announce the opening of our Fostering Hub. The Council wants to provide a home for our fostering service that can serve foster carers both at the start of their journey and many years into their careers. We are prioritising finding the best possible foster carers for local children and giving these carers the support they need to give Lewisham’s young people the love and stability they deserve.
I am pleased we were able to open the Hub during Fostering Fortnight, the two-week period where we thank foster carers for their outstanding service. The theme for this year is Fostering Communities and seeks to highlight the work of everyone that makes fostering possible from the fostering social workers to foster carers to the young people themselves. I hope that by having this new Fostering Hub we can give our fostering community a home.”
Jon Stevens, Lewisham foster carer and Fostering Advisory Board Chair, said: “I welcome the new Fostering Hub as an important move by the Council to provide further support for foster carers and a place for the public to enquire about becoming foster carers. Lewisham have always been exceptional in proving support and training for foster carers, but a new Hub will create a greater sense of stability and community for our fostering service.
I would encourage anyone interested in making a difference in their community to consider fostering for Lewisham. My wife and I have fostered for four years and we are so happy we made the decision to open our hearts and homes for young people. Lewisham has been with us every step of the way and cannot stress enough how important it is that more people become foster carers. The job is so important in creating stability and safety for our most vulnerable children. It is not an easy job, but it is so rewarding and has changed my life for the better.”
If you would like to find out more about fostering you can visit Lewisham's fostering webpage or email fosteringrecruitment@lewisham.gov.uk or call 0800 015 0129 (freephone).