Fostering Blog

West Yorkshire has a huge range of attractions for adults and children alike. The region offers vibrant cities, a rich heritage and glorious countryside which is renowned throughout the UK and overseas. 

There are many reasons why children require fostering and the story of each individual child will be different. Some will have come from backgrounds where they suffered neglect or abuse, while others will have been in households where those that should have been caring for them became unable or unwilling to do so.

Lesley has recently been approved as a new foster carer for Fostering to Inspire. Read her thoughts on making the decision to foster and what she is looking forward to. If you are thinking about fostering why not take the first step like Lesley, and let Fostering to Inspire help you along the way.

Despite the law, there sadly remains a misconception that LGBT people cannot foster or adopt.  Please let me clearly outline that this is not true.  Fostering to Inspire positively welcomes interest from the LGBT community.  We understand and recognise the importance of LGBT carers and the strengths they can offer our looked after children.

In August 2017, The Times newspaper printed a sensationalised article about a young Christian child being 'forcibly' placed with Muslim foster carers.  This article has since been rightly discredited by an independent inquiry which highlighted the value of Muslim foster carers and the care and commitment that was shown to the 5-year old child placed in their care.

What is a perfect Christmas?  What does Christmas mean to you?  It means so many different things to so many people and looked after children are no different.  Just think back to your own childhood and remember the special, quirky things that made Christmas so special...

There is a growing need for foster carers to offer safe and stable environments to children and young people over the age of 12.  I believe there is a misconception that caring for a younger child is theoretically easier...

It was worrying to read in the news this week that ‘Over a quarter of adoptive families in crisis’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41379424), but it was also heartening to read that most of the adoptive families surveyed said they were glad they had adopted.

As a social worker, I have worked in fostering for the past 8 years and have recruited many foster carers.  You may think there is a specific person who can foster, but I can honestly say foster carers come from all walks of life.

Welcome to the new Fostering to Inspire website.

Having launched in mid-June 2017, it is our desire that our new site will become the ‘go to’ destination for anyone in the North of England already on a fostering journey or looking to begin their fostering career.