We urgently need to increase the numbers of foster carers from all backgrounds and circumstances to help make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in Leeds.
Currently, we arrange care and support for around 1,300 children and young people and need more local authority foster carers to help us.
In order to encourage more people to join us, we have introduced a new payment for skills service providing a comprehensive range of professional support, financial assistance and training for our foster carers and recently established a new Fostering Recruitment staff team able to respond quickly and efficiently to all fostering enquiries.
The range of opportunities available are detailed on these pages along with information on financial support, criteria for applicants and some frequently asked questions with answers (all page links are below).
Do Something Amazing! campaign
Our major foster carer recruitment campaign "Do something amazing" launched earlier this year returns with a new media campaign from October 31 including Radio Aire / Magic 828 and outdoor advertising on Leeds First Bus and Leeds rail stations.
We are also supporting the Government's new national campaign drive for more foster carers and adopters ' Give a child a home'. Details and more information on the campaign can be found by following the website link on this page.
For more details on becoming a foster carer with Leeds City Council please contact;
The Fostering Recruitment Team (0113) 247 7443 (includes answerphone / message taking facility).
You can also register your interest online (page link below) or email us.
Leeds City Council and New Family Social (LGBT)
Leeds City Council and New Family Social will be co-hosting a Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual Fostering and Adoption open evening in February (2012) as part of LGBT awareness week. The evening meeting is taking place at:
South Leeds City Learning Centre, Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT 21 February 7pm - 8.30pm. Come along and find out more - you can register at the venue from 6.45pm - no need to confirm attendance in advance. For more information on this event, please contact:
benjamin.whitehead@leeds.gov.uk Information on the awareness week can be accessed on the website link on this page.
Information for Leeds City Council approved foster carers
The fostering service is developing web pages so that approved foster carers can access electronic versions of a selection of the Factfile (handbook) content and CWDC (Children's Workforce Development Council), foster care training and development standards materials and Support Groups information.
Factfile (Handbook)
For more information about the Factfile content please see Fostering - Factfile (Handbook).
Standards, training and development
To access the CWDC (Children's Workforce Development Council) standards materials, support groups and other training and development information, please see Fostering - standards, training and development.