East Riding Fostering

18/10/2026

As Children of Foster Carers Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to recognise and thank the incredible children and young people who are part of our fostering families across East Riding.

Fostering is never something that one person does alone. It is a commitment embraced by the whole family. Every day, children of foster carers play a vital role by sharing their homes, their family life, their time, and their hearts with children who need love, stability and a sense of belonging.

Throughout this week, we have heard powerful stories from the birth children of East Riding foster carers. Their experiences have highlighted the kindness, understanding and acceptance they show as they welcome foster children into their lives and help them feel part of a family.

We recognise that fostering can bring challenges as well as rewards. It often means adapting to change, showing patience during difficult times and supporting children who may have experienced significant adversity. These acts of compassion and generosity should never be underestimated. They make a lasting difference to the lives of children in care.

Many young people have also shared the positive impact fostering has had on them. They have spoken about developing empathy, resilience and confidence, learning to value diversity and inclusion, and gaining experiences that will stay with them throughout their lives. Their stories demonstrate the remarkable contribution they make to fostering and the important role they play in helping others thrive.

Children of Foster Carers Week also reminds us of the importance of listening to and supporting birth children throughout a family's fostering journey. At East Riding, we remain committed to ensuring that children's voices are heard, their experiences are valued, and they receive the support they need as fostering families grow and change.

Sue Nicholson, Head of Care and Belonging, said:

"To every child and young person who is part of a fostering family, thank you. Thank you for your kindness, patience and understanding. Thank you for opening your hearts and helping children feel welcomed, safe and valued. Your contribution is an essential part of fostering, and we are incredibly proud of the difference you make every day." 🤍

16/10/2026

"What does fostering mean for my own children?"

It's one of the first questions many people ask when considering fostering, and it's completely understandable. Our foster carers had the same thoughts.

Hear from foster carers and young people as they share their experiences, the support they've received, and what life as a fostering family is really like.

If you are interested in fostering, get in touch with us https://orlo.uk/7DkLt

15/10/2026

Today we held our first foster care summit which brought together foster carers from across the East Riding.

We held discussions about developments in fostering, shared views and talked about the future of the service, whilst also celebrating our fantastic foster carers!

We were delighted to have Luke Rodgers BEM join us to speak. Luke is a lived-experience leader who grew up in the care system and has now become a prominent advocate for care-experienced young people.

A big thank you to everyone involved in today's event.

15/10/2026

One of our fostering social workers reflects on her experience of growing up in a fostering family, sharing treasured memories, her feelings when her family first decided to foster, and the lasting impact of the relationships they built along the way. Thank you, Bex, for sharing your beautiful and heartfelt story, as well as these lovely photos of your younger self and where you are today. 🩷

Growing up in a family that fostered, I felt proud of my parents and thought what they were doing was something really special. They involved me in conversations from the beginning and wanted to know how I felt about welcoming children into our home.

I was happy to welcome them, but also a little daunted. It was something new, and it meant sharing my home and space with people I didn't yet know. Those feelings soon eased as we got to know each other and we built lots of happy memories together.

I remember holidays to France and Tenerife, plenty of jokes and lots of laughter. My foster sister had a brilliant sense of humour and was always laughing. We really enjoyed spending time together. She and my sister also share the same name, so calling one of them usually meant getting both, or neither, depending on what you were asking!

Being part of a fostering family opened my eyes to the different experiences other children can face. I've been fortunate to have a positive home life, and it helped me appreciate that this wasn't everyone's experience. It ultimately inspired me to become a social worker with the goal of working in a fostering team. Which is where I am today.

One of the things I value most is that those relationships have continued into adulthood. The children my parents cared for remain part of our wider family and I love seeing and hearing about how they're doing. I hope they know they can still reach out to me whenever they need support or simply someone to talk to.

14/10/2026

How do we support foster carers' birth children?

If foster carers have children of their own, we offer a range of support to help them understand and prepare for the fostering journey. This includes:

🗣️ Talking with them about their thoughts, feelings and any questions they may have.
❤️ Supporting applicants with conversations they may wish to have with their children before fostering.
📚 Providing books and resources to help children understand what it means to be part of a fostering family.
🌟Inviting birth children to fostering events, even during the assessment stage, so they can experience what it is like to be part of our fostering community.

We recognise that fostering is a journey for the whole family, and we want birth children to feel informed, supported and included every step of the way.

12/10/2026

This week is Children of Foster Carers' Week.

We're shining a spotlight on the amazing birth children, young people and grandchildren of foster carers who make a real difference every day. Their support, understanding and willingness to share their family life are an important part of the fostering journey.

Read more about Children of Foster Carers' Week here: https://orlo.uk/oYWYH

11/10/2026

As Kinship week 2026 comes to end, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our Kinship carers. Stepping up to care for a child is an incredible act of courage and commitment. Kinship carers open their homes, reshape their lives and put a child’s needs at the heart of everything that they do- often, whilst navigating a journey that they never expected to take.

Thank you for being there, for making a difference and most importantly for giving a child the opportunity to grow up surrounded by people who love them.
Thank you also to the amazing team behind the scenes who deliver training, complete the initial applications and offer support and guidance to our Kinship community. 🩷

10/10/2026

This film by Kinship shares the story of a young person raised by their auntie.

Being a kinship carer is something to be proud of. 🩷

Kinship teamed up with award winning production company My Pockets ...

09/10/2026

This film by Kinship highlights the importance of our kinship carers. 🩷

Please give it a watch and share this powerful message.