Suffolk County Council & East Suffolk Council become Foster Friendly Employers and encourages other local organisations to follow suit

As a foster friendly employers, organisations aim to provide their employees with the flexibility and support they need to become foster parents while also continuing their careers.

Becoming a foster friendly employer means that organisations commit to providing their employees with the support they need to balance their work and foster care responsibilities. This includes putting in place a fostering friendly HR policy for all foster carers in their employment. This could include flexible work arrangements, such as part-time or remote work, as well as paid leave for fostering-related appointments or emergencies.

The initiative is part of a larger effort to encourage other local organisations in Suffolk to become foster friendly employers. West Suffolk Council and Babergh and Mid Suffolk are also going through the process to become foster friendly. The hope is that by spreading awareness and encouraging others to become foster friendly employers, more people will be inspired to consider fostering.

Councillor Stephen Burroughes, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoples Services with responsibility for Fostering and Adoption said:

"I am proud that Suffolk County Council has become a foster friendly employer.

“We recognise that fostering is a significant commitment, but we also know that it can be a life-changing experience for both the foster parent and the child. By becoming a foster friendly employer, we hope to support our employees who choose to foster while also encouraging other organisations to do the same. Together, we can create a more foster friendly community in Suffolk and make a positive difference in the lives of children in care."

Nick Khan, Strategic Director at East Suffolk Council, said:

“East Suffolk Council is delighted to be a foster friendly employer. This means that we will always seek to help and encourage any of our colleagues who would like to foster and we will also promote the benefits of doing so for other companies and organisations.

“Fostering is a really important way to change the lives of children who are in care but we also know that it requires a huge commitment which employers can help support.”

If your organisation is interested in becoming a foster friendly employer, please get in touch with Suffolk Fostering service on: 01473 264800 or email us at fosterandadopt@suffolk.gov.uk