Shining a light on the positive impact fostering can have on children

There are currently 40 children in foster care across the borough, for many different reasons and needing short term, emergency or long term care, as well short breaks from their current household. The council is reaching out to ask more residents to help and join the fostering community to give vulnerable children and young people in the borough the opportunity to live healthy, happy and safe lives whilst needing a caring and supportive family to grow and explore. 

Ami has been a foster carer for five years: 

“Me and my family's fostering adventures actually began as we considered options to have another child. We started the journey and soon realised how exciting it could be if we could have not one child, in fact not even two - but instead an infinite number of diverse children and teenagers who need a caring home during a tricky time for them and their family.

 

“We are now 5 years into this and we can honestly say it's been the most incredible adventure; each and every child and young person who has joined our family and then moved on has stayed with us in one way or another. Their stories become our stories and their incredible personalities, struggles, strengths, challenges, smiles and joys shape our lives and the lives of our birth children in the most wonderful way.” 

Fostering provides a nurturing and safe family environment where a child can thrive when they aren’t able to live with their birth family. Kingston’s Council Plan sets out priorities to remove barriers, create opportunities and provide, enabling care and support for children and young people when it is needed. One of the ways to achieve this is through fostering. 

Foster carers come from all walks of life to look after children of differing ages, in a variety of short-term arrangements - from full time to weekends or holidays only. Many different kinds of people can provide a secure and caring environment for children and young people who cannot live with their families. 

There are many myths and misconceptions about fostering and who can become a foster carer. You can learn the facts about fostering on Kingston Council’s children’s services provider -  Achieving for Children’s website. 

Kingston Council works with  Achieving for Children to help families build resilience through the provision of effective support and care, and ensure that young people are well prepared for adulthood by providing high quality, wide ranging support. 

Want to get involved and make a difference? 

There is always a need for more amazing people in the brough to foster. It’s only with the dedication of our wonderful foster carers that we can ensure that all children who need it, have a welcoming and safe place to call home.

If you want to make a difference to a child’s life through providing a safe and caring family environment get in contact with AfC fostering service. 

'Any of Us' from Achieving for Children on Vimeo.