Hull Fostering is urging people who are considering fostering to learn more about the unique package of support on offer in Hull.
Venturing into fostering can seem like a daunting experience. People considering fostering worry about how they might cope and what kind of support is available to them.
Hull City Council’s fostering service has built a generous, knowledgeable and friendly fostering community, which boasts a wealth of support available to foster carers, both new and existing.
Foster carers in Hull benefit from:
- Access to mentors and support groups.
- A financial package which includes a competitive rate for each child in their care, a weekly allowance, an additional weekly skill payment given based on experience and continuous learning development, a £500 annual bonus, mileage, babysitting, setting up costs and allowances for holidays, birthday and Christmas gifts.
- The whole family will receive heavily reduced leisure membership passes, Max card, special discounts and local benefits.
- Regular training to help them on their fostering journey.
- The fostering community hub, which meets every Wednesday and Friday. The hub brings together foster carers and children for crafts, games and sports at the University of Hull. The hub also offers regular organised trips out.
- A baby and toddler group.
- A consultation group, which offers the chance to meet with managers, feedback and ask questions.
- Online and in-person information events where they can learn from lived experience.
- ‘Mockingbird’ – made up of a hub carer and 10 satellite carers who are like aunties and uncles to foster children. They organise a monthly activity, including trips to theme parks and camping trips for foster children.
This caring circle of support has created a unique community with a family feel.
Councillor Linda Tock, the portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council said: “Hull Fostering has helped enable this caring community of foster carers to flourish and our fantastic foster carers go above and beyond to support one another. You won’t find a much better and more supportive fostering community than ours in Hull.
“I urge anyone considering becoming a foster carer to get in touch with Hull Fostering so they can learn more.”
Pam, who has been fostering with Hull Fostering for 12 years, said: “I find being a foster carer an absolute joy. Teaching children and young people new life skills, making memories and seeing their smiling faces makes fostering all worthwhile.”
Visit www.hullfostering.co.uk to find out more about fostering in Hull, or you can contact Hull Fostering on 01482 612 800, fostering@hullcc.gov.uk.
