Give a child or young person a better chance in life: join Redbridge’s fostering community

Redbridge Council is urging people to consider fostering and help improve & transform the lives of children and young people.

Foster Care Fortnight is the national awareness campaign headed up by the national charity, The Fostering Network. It aims to raise the profile of fostering and to increase awareness around the power of giving a child or young person a chance to flourish.

This year, Foster Care Fortnight 2022 takes place between Monday, 9 May and Sunday, 22 May, and the focus is on #FosteringCommunities. 

Savita Mandil has been fostering for Redbridge Council for three years and speaks of the difference she has made to a young person who came to England as an Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child in 2020. 

Savita explains: “He had lost everything, could only speak a few words in English and found it hard to trust. It was such a daunting time.  

“The first month he was in my care, he was extremely anxious and worried about what may happen to him. I warmly welcomed him into my home, communicated with him in a very simple way at first and learnt some words in his language. We went everywhere together to help build his confidence around the local environment, giving him opportunities to learn whilst being supported and encouraging independence. 

“I listened to him, found out about his interests and even booked for him to see a live football match, which was a dream for him, and he understood that I genuinely cared for him.

“To see the transformation after such a short time is just incredible. We have a fantastic relationship where he really does feel a part of our family, but he has developed immensely as a person. He is flourishing! He speaks fluent English, has made some lovely friends and is at a Technical College completing a City and Guilds Qualification in Car Mechanics. 

Savita continued:

“Giving him the chance to be back in a home environment and giving him that stability has made such a difference in his life. I would advise anybody considering fostering just to do it! After retiring from the corporate world, I made the step and haven’t looked back!

“The support and sense of community fostering for Redbridge is second to none. You have a dedicated Supervising Social Worker who supports you at each step; a buddy in your first year; monthly support groups; and regular coffee mornings to meet and chat with other foster carers. We also have a Foster Carers Association, which Foster Carers run. It really does feel like an extended family!”

Redbridge Council is looking for foster carers who can offer a loving home, care and stability to our children and young people. A foster carer can be over 21, and there is no upper limit as long as you are fit and healthy enough to care for a child. Foster carers can be single, married or in a relationship.

Foster carers will need a spare bedroom within their home to look after a child over two but can have a cot in their bedroom to care for babies.

Redbridge Council pays its foster carers a weekly allowance of up to £466.48 for each child or young person placed with them. We also offer up to 80 per cent discount on Council Tax, if certain occupancy conditions are met and many other benefits.

Like Savita and fellow Redbridge foster carers, you could literally transform a child’s life.  

If you are considering fostering for Redbridge, please contact us this Foster Care Fortnight by calling 020 8708 6068 or contact us by email or book on to our next information session to find out more.

Redbridge is holding a virtual coffee morning for people who want to learn more about fostering a child or young person. The event takes place between 10am, and 11am on Friday 27 May. 

Find out how fostering has brought joy and fulfilment to the lives of these foster carers.