Derby County Community Trust are happy to announce we are now a Fostering Friendly employer – a programme by The Fostering Network, which helps organisations to actively support fostering, and in particular, foster carer employees.  

We have implemented a policy to make a real difference to our employees who foster, and support others in becoming approved foster carers themselves.   

Derby County Community Trust offer a flexible working pattern to foster carers and those going through the application process, who can access a minimum of five days extra paid leave for their fostering commitments.  

These involve meetings with social workers and other agencies, attending training, settling young people into their new home and more. 

Lisa Anderson, HR Manager, at Derby County Community Trust, explains: 

"We want to be as flexible as possible for our staff who are parents, or thinking of becoming parents, so to become a Fostering Friendly organisation was a no-brainer for us. As an organisation we seek to provide opportunities for all, and this ethos applies to our workforce too.

"The implementation of this policy could support staff to consider the opportunity of fostering, which may have previously been more difficult with work commitments, and also shows current foster parents that we're an inclusive organisation who will support them if they were to apply for a job with us." 

The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity.  

Their executive chair, Mervyn Erskine says "becoming a Fostering Friendly employer is something to be really proud of. Foster carers are the bedrock of children’s social care – for the difference they make to the lives of children. It is important that this vital role is not only recognised, but also encouraged by their employers.   

"By supporting existing foster carers and promoting the role to other employees, this helps to build on the thousands of extra fostering households needed in the UK, for the children who need them most.

"The scheme is free to join and suitable for organisations of any size – please get in touch with The Fostering Network to join the growing number of Fostering Friendly employers."

There’s a national shortage of 9,265 fostering households, and Derby is no exception.  

The fostering community is open to people from all walks of life, no matter your age, gender, relationship status or sexual orientation. If you are considering fostering, please get in touch with your local fostering service to find out more. 

Derby County Community Trust will also be supporting the local fostering service in Derby by working in partnership on events and awareness raising initiatives.