Sutton Council calls on residents to consider becoming foster carers

This Foster Care Fortnight (Monday 12 to Sunday 25 May) Sutton Council is asking residents to consider becoming foster carers so that every child in the borough can grow up in a supportive home. 

There are currently over 200 children in care in Sutton who could benefit from a foster care placement, with the Council urgently seeking new carers to meet this demand.

To support residents who may be interested in becoming foster carers, the Council has recently launched its very first fostering hub. A major step in ensuring existing foster carers are connected with other carers across the borough, as well as connecting new carers with experienced carers so that they can receive support, advice and friendship from likeminded people in the borough. 

This means that from the beginning of a person's foster care journey, they will have access to a dedicated social worker, 24/7 support and a range of training and development opportunities. 

Councillor Marian James, Lead Member for Children and Families, said:

“At Sutton Council we know that fostering is only as successful as the relationships within our fostering community - whether it is between carer and child, social worker and carer, or between the amazing carers that make our community so special.

This Foster Care Fortnight, I not only want to thank foster carers for their role in building so many nurturing relationships across the borough, I also want to extend the invitation to all residents to join our community of foster carers. There is no set formula for an ideal carer, so why not get in touch and see if you can make a difference?”

Nigel Lockwood, Chair of the Sutton Foster Carers Association, said:

“Being a foster carer is the opportunity to really help a child who might not have been able to succeed without their care. Sutton urgently needs more foster carers to keep children that are in care in Sutton, close to their schools and support networks. We need carers with different experiences and all walks of life. Everybody has something to offer.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, there are a range of different fostering options available, from long-term care to weekends and respite care. Register your interest with Sutton Council, or contact the Fostering Team on 020 8770 5563 or by email at fostering.duty@sutton.gov.uk.