Barking and Dagenham Council marked Foster Care Fortnight by acknowledging the essential role of local carers. The event highlighted their contributions, with leaders emphasizing ongoing support and appreciation for their dedication.
To mark Foster Care Fortnight 2025, Barking and Dagenham Council held a special event to celebrate the borough’s dedicated foster carers. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Council Leader Cllr Dominic Twomey, Mayor Cllr Moin Quadri, and Cllr Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care & Disability.
Six members of the Barking and Dagenham Foster Carer Association were invited to the event, where they were recognised for their ongoing commitment and hard work in caring for local children in need. The carers were given the opportunity to share their feedback with the council’s leadership team, further strengthening the support network for fostering families in the borough.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Council Leader Cllr Dominic Twomey, Mayor Cllr Moin Quadri, and Cllr Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care & Disability.
Barking and Dagenham’s Foster Carer Association plays a vital role in advocating for the borough’s 127 in-house foster care households. They provide a crucial platform for carers to exchange ideas and ensure that their voices are heard at the council level. The event highlighted the invaluable contribution of foster carers who provide safe and nurturing homes for children and young people who need them most.
Barking and Dagenham Council offers its in-house foster carers round-the-clock support, comprehensive training programmes, and competitive weekly payments. The council ensures that foster carers receive the resources and assistance they need to provide the best care possible, ensuring a positive impact on the children in their care.
Cllr Dominic Twomey, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, expressed his gratitude to the borough’s foster carers, stating, “Our foster carers always go above and beyond to make sure local children in need get the best start to life. It was an absolute privilege to spend time talking to the borough’s Foster Carer Association, and we remain committed to supporting them as much as we can.”
Cllr Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care & Disability, also praised the hard work of foster carers, saying, “Fostering is one of the most demanding jobs anyone can do, so I’m always thankful for the borough’s foster carers. They really are miracle workers. We’re really proud of the support we offer to new and existing carers – and I encourage anyone thinking about starting the foster care journey to do it with Barking and Dagenham Council.”
Foster Care Fortnight, which runs every year, is the UK’s largest fostering awareness campaign. It provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the essential role foster carers play in society and to encourage more people to consider fostering. The annual campaign seeks to raise awareness of fostering’s challenges and rewards while celebrating the dedication and compassion of those who open their hearts and homes to vulnerable children.
With ongoing support from the council and the Foster Carer Association, Barking and Dagenham continues to offer a nurturing environment for foster carers, helping to ensure that local children are given the best possible start in life. As the council looks ahead, it remains committed to fostering a culture of care, understanding, and community to further support the borough’s foster families.
