Foster carers across Brent are opening up about their daily lives as part of the national Foster Care Fortnight campaign. Running from 11 to 24 May 2026, the initiative uses the theme ‘This is fostering’ to provide a transparent look at the stability and care required to support local children.
Barbara, a local foster carer, describes the role as a transformative experience for both the adult and the child. She emphasizes that seeing a child’s confidence grow is the primary reward of the commitment. The campaign aims to move beyond stereotypes, showcasing the honest highs and lows through social media accounts and face-to-face meetings.
Weekly support and training for Brent carers
Residents who take on fostering responsibilities receive a structured support package. This includes a weekly allowance of up to £495 per child to cover the costs of care, alongside comprehensive professional training. Supervising social workers remain on hand to provide ongoing guidance to families throughout their fostering journey.
Nigel Chapman, Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Community Development, noted that these carers are essential for giving local children the best start in life. The campaign serves as both a celebration of current carers and a recruitment drive for new ones.
Public sessions at Brent Civic Centre
Prospective carers can access first-hand information during several scheduled events at the Brent Civic Centre. These sessions allow residents to speak directly with social workers and experienced carers about the application process and the realities of the role.
| Event / Detail | Date and Location |
|---|---|
| Foster Care Fortnight | 11 – 24 May 2026 |
| Coffee Morning | 13 May, 10:00 – 11:30, Harmony Kitchen |
| Information Stand | 13 May (10:00 – 15:00) & 14 May (10:00 – 12:00) |
| Weekly Allowance | Up to £495 per child |
The Harmony Kitchen session on 13 May is designed as an informal environment for questions. For those unable to attend the morning session, the information stand in the Civic Centre foyer will be staffed throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of the ‘This is fostering’ campaign in Brent for 2026?
The campaign, running from 11 to 24 May 2026, aims to provide a transparent and myth-busting look at the fostering journey. By sharing real-life stories from local carers like Barbara, the initiative highlights the ‘honest highs and lows’ of caregiving, focusing on the transformative impact of watching a child’s confidence grow within a stable, local home environment.
How much financial and professional support do Brent foster carers receive?
Brent Council provides a comprehensive support package for residents, which includes a weekly allowance of up to £495 per child to cover essential care costs. Additionally, carers are assigned a dedicated supervising social worker for ongoing guidance and have access to structured professional training to ensure they are fully equipped for their role.
How does becoming a foster carer impact the local Brent community?
Local fostering ensures that vulnerable children can stay within their familiar community, providing them with the ‘best start in life’ as noted by Corporate Director Nigel Chapman. This stability not only benefits the child’s emotional growth but also strengthens the local social fabric by creating a network of experienced, supported caregivers dedicated to the borough’s youth.
Where can I meet current carers to start the application process in Brent?
Prospective carers can attend several face-to-face sessions at the Brent Civic Centre and other local venues during Foster Care Fortnight. Key dates include:
- 13 May (10:00 – 11:30): Informal Coffee Morning at Harmony Kitchen.
- 13 May (10:00 – 15:00) & 14 May (10:00 – 12:00): Information stands at the Civic Centre.
These events offer a direct way to ask questions about the application process and hear the realities of the role from experienced social workers and carers.
Source: Brent Council
