Fostering Friendly status
Fostering Friendly is an initiative launched by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.
As many foster carers work alongside their fostering role, having an employer who supports their caring responsibilities can make a huge difference.
Fostering Friendly organisations implement HR policies that give foster carers flexible working patterns and paid leave for training and when settling a child into their home.
How it benefits Herefordshire's children in care
Extra support from employers gives potential foster carers the confidence to explore fostering.
Allows current carers who work, the flexibility to give the best support to the young people they care for.
Promotes fostering to your employees and partners, creating more foster carers to meet the needs of children in care.
Herefordshire Council as a Fostering Friendly employer
Foster carers make a real difference to the lives of Herefordshire's children and young people, and we value the work they do.
We are proud to be a Fostering Friendly employer. We are committed to granting:
- Employees who are applying to become foster carers up to 5 days paid leave per year (pro rata for part time employees) to attend meetings, home visits or mandatory training as part of the assessment process.
- Employees who already foster up to 5 days paid leave each year (pro rata for part time employees) to attend any meetings, training or to respond to the needs of a child they support.
Herefordshire's Fostering Friendly partners
Any organisation can become a Fostering Friendly organisation. Signing up is easy. You can email The Fostering Network at fosteringfriendly@fostering.net to receive a template HR policy. After reviewing and implementing this, your organisation will be supporting Herefordshire's foster carers and children in care.
If you are a Fostering Friendly organisation within Herefordshire, we would love to hear from you. To find out more or to join our Fostering Friendly community, email fostering@herefordshire.gov.uk