Reading has joined 19 other councils from across the south east to create the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership, with the goal of recruiting more foster carers for our children and young people in care. 

Brighter Futures for Children, which delivers children’s services, including fostering, on behalf of Reading Borough Council, is a proud partner of this national Department for Education (DfE) funded project, with Local Authority Fostering South East being the largest of nine regions taking place in this pilot programme. 

There is an urgent need to recruit more foster carers to provide safe, loving and local homes for vulnerable children in Reading and the wider area, with over 11,000 children in care across the south east and fewer than 3,000 local authority approved foster carers. 

The new hub, which launches today (Monday 8 July), will provide a centralised platform for prospective foster carers to enquire and will see local authorities work collaboratively to provide the best support, with a new ambassador scheme established to share what this life-changing role is really like. 

The hub will also run marketing campaigns to raise awareness and encourage more people to take the next step in becoming a foster carer. In doing so, they will benefit from comprehensive local training, generous financial assistance and ongoing support. 

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We do not currently have enough Reading-based foster carers, so we are delighted to be involved in this partnership and keep more children and young people in care closer to their local links, including school, family and friends. 

“Our foster carers make such a positive difference to children’s lives and create many happy moments for them to look back on for years to come. This hub will help us to give more children a loving home locally and will enhance our offer to make sure foster carers have access to the support they need.” 

Cllr Wendy Griffith, Lead Councillor for Children, said: “We are excited to be part of this collaboration to increase the number of foster carers and make sure they continue to be supported to care for our children and young people. 

“Becoming a foster carer is a wonderful thing to do and I hope that by working with the 19 other local authorities across the region, we’ll be able to find more loving homes in Reading.” 

Notes to editor 

More information on becoming a foster carer can be found on the new regional website and by following Local Authority Fostering South East on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).   

Those interested in fostering can also contact the regional hub directly to speak to a member of the recruitment team by calling 0300 131 2797. 

The local authorities involved in this project are: 

  • Achieving for Children (London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, The Royal Borough of Kingston Upton Thames and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead) 
  • Bracknell Forest Council 
  • Brighton and Hove City Council  
  • East Sussex County Council  
  • Hampshire County Council  
  • Isle of Wight Council  
  • Kent County Council  
  • Medway Council 
  • Milton Keynes City Council 
  • Oxfordshire County Council  
  • Portsmouth City Council  
  • Brighter Futures for Children (Reading) 
  • Slough Borough Council  
  • Southampton City Council  
  • Surrey County Council 
  • West Berkshire Council  
  • West Sussex County Council  
  • Wokingham Borough Council 

Find out more about what it takes to become a foster carer in Reading by visiting BFfC’s dedicated fostering website. 

Please send any media enquiries to Holly Turner holly.turner.consulting@gmail.com / Charlotte Barnes charlotte.barnes@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.