With rising demand for safe, stable homes for children in care, Hull City Council is stepping up its efforts to recruit and retain foster carers – offering an enhanced support package and renewing its pledge to prioritise people over profit.
The council is calling on residents to consider fostering through Hull Fostering, a not-for-profit service that reinvests every penny into supporting children and the people who care for them.
In response to cost-of-living pressures, Hull has introduced a 3% increase to its fostering allowance – a step taken to help carers manage rising costs. While the increase reflects inflation, a dramatic uplift, the council insists that the real value lies in the long-term support it provides.
What makes Hull Fostering different? 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. Additional weekly payment can also be made for caring for children with complex needs
- 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 Friday. The hub brings together foster carers and children for crafts, games and sports in Hull. Hull Fostering 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
Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council, said: “Keeping children in Hull, close to their schools, friends, and familiar surroundings, is not just a preference – it’s a necessity. To do that, we need more local families to join us.
“We know independent fostering agencies sometimes offer higher allowances, but Hull Fostering offers something they can’t: a local, child-focused, not-for-profit model where every decision puts the child’s needs first.”
Comedian and foster carer Kiri Pritchard-McLean recently spoke to Hull Fostering about why she chose to foster with a local authority rather than a private agency. In her words: “It’s about doing the right thing, not the most profitable thing.” Watch the full interview here.
For those who are just curious, or ready to take the first step, Hull Fostering welcomes informal chats with no obligation.
Reach Hull Fostering by calling them on 01482 612 800, emailing fostering@hullcc.gov.uk, or by direct messaging the team on social media @HullFostering.
