North Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to be fostering friendly

Children and families

17 May 2023

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North Northamptonshire Council has been accredited with being a Foster Friendly employer – demonstrating the importance the authority places on this vital role for families.

The status means that the Council has updated its HR policy to give staff that foster children extra support in balancing their work and care responsibilities.

The announcement coincides with Foster Care Fortnight, an annual national campaign organised by The Fostering Network, which also administers the friendly-employer scheme.

Cllr Scott Edwards is North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills and will soon take over as chairman of the Council’s Corporate Parenting Board.

Fostering a child can be challenging but carers tell us it is also one of the most rewarding things they have ever done.

If anyone thinks they have what it takes to make a difference to the life of a child or young person, they should get in touch.

As a Council we know how important fostering a child is and we are delighted to announce that recently we have become a Foster Friendly employer giving staff that foster children extra support in balancing their work and care responsibilities.
Cllr Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills

The Fostering Friendly employers scheme offers businesses of any size a chance to make a difference for foster carers and the children they care for in their local communities and improve support for their own employees at the same time.

According to the Fostering Network, nearly 40 per cent of foster carers combine fostering with other work. Those who do say that a supportive employer can make all the difference, enabling them to balance employment with looking after children.

Making sure every child is safe in North Northamptonshire is imperative and our foster carers play a wonderful role in nurturing children and young people to ensure they are loved and cared for.

I’m thrilled that we have signed up to be Foster Friendly and it demonstrates the depth of our commitment to improving the life chances of everyone.
Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

Anyone who is interested in fostering can get in contact for an initial chat with the fostering team at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust or alternatively you can call the them on 0300 126 1009.

Employers interested about becoming Foster Friendly can find out more from The Fostering Network.