That’s the message of a new Foster Sandwell campaign to recruit new foster carers this January.
“There’s a national shortage in fostering and Sandwell is no different,” explains Sandwell Children's Trust Chief Executive Emma Taylor. “It is fantastic that our services for children and families in Sandwell have just been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, however, as we continue to improve, we always need more foster carers.
“We need the children we care for to have stable, loving homes in Sandwell. So, if you are taking stock of your life this New Year, please ask yourself if you have the love to give a child a fresh start and open a new chapter in your life.”
Councillor Jalal Uddin, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added: “We have ‘Good’ services for children, and we know there are many caring people in Sandwell who want to make a difference to a child’s life. Now is the perfect time to step forward, we’re ready to help you to start your fostering journey with Sandwell.”
Sandwell’s own Fostering Service is also rated ‘Good’ and our staff give excellent support to our foster carers and the children and young people they care for.
Our foster carers say it best, as Sandwell foster carer Rosy Cockburn puts it: “It’s the best thing we’ve ever done! It really does change your life. Of course it’s a big commitment, but if you want to do something that is really fulfilling and makes a real difference then come and join us! The support we get from Foster Sandwell and our fellow foster carers is amazing and we love being able to give something back.”
Foster Sandwell will be launching into 2026 with a series of events in January across Sandwell, and an eye-catching new poster campaign across the borough, with a ‘spot the fostering poster’ competition on the Foster Sandwell Facebook page for children and young people.
In Sandwell, like so many other areas of the country, there is a real urgent need for people to step forward and foster for their local authority, which is why Foster Sandwell is launching its New Year campaign.
Foster Sandwell is Sandwell’s not-for-profit fostering service. We care for Sandwell’s most vulnerable children, and we work exclusively in Sandwell. We are determined to give every child in Sandwell a stable, loving home and to give them a chance to be the best version of themselves.
According to the Fostering Network there are approximately 70,000 children living with just over 52,000 foster families in the UK.
This is nearly three-quarters of almost 100,000 children who are in care and who live away from home on any one day in the UK. Many of these children are in care due to abuse or neglect.
In Sandwell our foster carers do an extraordinary job providing homes for the children we care for, but we need more people to take the first step to become foster carers with us this January.
To find out about fostering for Sandwell visit the Foster Sandwell website or call 0800 358 0899.
Foster Sandwell will be holding events throughout January, including:
- 5 January: 10am to 2pm at the One Stop Shop, main entrance to Sandwell Council House in Oldbury
- 14 January: 10am to 2pm at Rowley Regis Family Hub – a drop-in session for one-to-one fostering discussions
- 22 January: 10am to 2pm at the Winter Garden, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Smethwick – information stand
- 29 January: 2.30pm Fostering information event at Central Library, West Bromwich
- 29 January: 6.30pm Fostering information event at Central Library, West Bromwich
Find out full details for all forthcoming Foster Sandwell events.