Wakefield Council celebrates 'The Power of Relationships’ for Foster Care Fortnight
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Wakefield Council is proudly supporting Foster Care Fortnight, 12-25 May.
Throughout the fortnight, the Council and it’s fostering service will be hosting events to honour local foster carers and inspire others to explore fostering.
“Foster carers transform lives through their compassion, resilience, and the relationships they build. This Foster Care Fortnight, we want to say thank you and encourage more people to come forward and join our fostering community here in the Wakefield district. National campaigns are brilliant for raising the profile of our foster care service. There is a shortage of carers, and we need more local people to consider stepping forward."
"Our community of foster carers is incredibly supportive and uplifting. From specialist induction groups for new carers to the Care4Us Community Choir, carers are able to connect with each other and share experiences. It is important for new carers to know that they will not be alone."
Cllr Margaret Isherwood
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Relationships’. It celebrates the vital connections that help children in care to thrive. This is from the bond between foster carers and children, to the support foster families receive from social workers, peers and the wider community.
On 15 May a special event for foster carers, The Foster Carer Celebration, will recognise the care, commitment and positive impact that foster carers provide every day.
There will also be a drop-in event aimed at people who are curious about fostering. Residents can drop by Wakefield Cathedral on Friday 16 May, from 10am-1pm, to talk to people from the service and current carers.
Support for foster carers includes The Fostering Hub Home, which gives a comprehensive package of support from our experienced Hub staff, including respite care to promote longevity of the placement with the foster carer.
The Wakefield Fostering service is also a part of the Mockingbird programme. Mockingbird hubs are a wonderful way for carers to connect with one another. Each hub is led by an experienced foster carer who can provide advice, social events, and respite care for a handful of families.
Wakefield Council is currently looking for more foster carers to provide loving, stable homes for children of all ages. Full training, and generous financial benefits are available, including reduced council tax.
Foster Care Fortnight is a national campaign led by The Fostering Network to raise awareness of the incredible work foster carers do and to encourage more people to consider fostering.
To learn more, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 197 0320.