The Fostering Service is an integral part of Darlington’s Children’s Services. It is part of the Children’s Accommodation Service which is responsible for services to Looked after Children. The Fostering Service provides placements for children with foster carers who have been approved by the Fostering Panel. The following placements are provided :
Pre adoptive placements
Short term placements
Short break placements
Long Term placements
Mother and baby placements
We ensure that the service is delivered in accordance with the National Care Standards Act 2000,the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and the Fostering Services Regulations 2002.
The Fostering Service is compliant with the best practice guidance of the UK National Standards for Foster Care 1999.
The Service is inspected annually, the latest report can be accessed on the Ofsted website.
Anyone interested in becoming a Foster Carer for Darlington should contact us on 01325 346200.We will provide you with initial information and then visit you at home to discuss your interest. If you then want to proceed with the assessment we will link you to a training programme and assign a Social Worker who will undertake the assessment of your suitability to be a foster carer. We are interested in people from all backgrounds, single people, same sex couples, married couples or people who are living together and people from different racial groups. The main requirements for suitability are that you enjoy looking after children, will take an interest in their progress and want to provide a stable home and support for children who have experienced difficulties in their lives ,
There are about 60 sets of Foster Carers in Darlington who foster for the council. Between them they care for about 100 children. Foster Carers receive an allowance to cover the cost of caring for the child(ren) and a small weekly fee. Allowances are paid at theNational Fostering Network rates.
Once Carers have been approved they receive a high level of support from the Fostering Team and other workers in Children’s Services including other Foster Carers.
Darlington Fostering Service (pdf document)