Foster with North East - first child moves to live with their newly approved foster carers in Stockton-on-Tees

A Stockton-on-Tees family is the first in the borough to become an approved foster carer through one-stop fostering support hub, Foster with North East, only nine months after the pilot scheme launched.

Foster with North East is a partnership between 12 local authorities which aims to recruit, encourage and support prospective foster families.

Led by Together for Children (the children's services partner of Sunderland City Council), the regional hub is the first point of contact for those interested in fostering, helping them to make an informed choice and guide them through the application process.

And thanks to the support and guidance offered, Stockton-on-Tees resident Laura is the first carer in the borough to give a child a loving home through applying via Foster with North East.

Laura said: "My nana fostered when I was growing up, so it is something that I have always been around and have wanted to do. I researched online and found that the Council can help with fostering so I gave them a ring to find out more."

Laura, who has two daughters aged eight and 13, has been approved to foster children aged 0-5 years and has just started caring for a baby boy. In total the process has only taken six months.

She adds: "If you are thinking about fostering, don't be scared to open the conversation with Foster with North East, even if it's just to find out more. When I lost my husband to Covid I paused the idea for a while, but I felt that now is the right time for me to foster. After I was approved, it was a matter of days before I had a detailed phone call with my supervising social worker who sent me a referral for a baby that I had been successfully matched with."

"Most of the cousins in our family are girls so my daughters are very, very excited to have a boy join the family!"

Majella McCarthy, the Council's Director of Children's Services, said: "People from all walks of life and backgrounds can foster, so if you think you can give a child a safe and loving home, please get in touch to find out more. There is a lot of support and guidance available through Foster with North East and the Council's fostering team will guide you every step of the way."

For more information about fostering contact the Foster with North East recruitment hub on 0800 917 7771 or visit the Foster with North East website.

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