Being a Fostering Friendly Employer

Essex County Council are now a Fostering Friendly employer, as awarded by the Fostering Network, who are the UK’s leading fostering charity.  

Fostering is an incredibly rewarding, flexible role. Essex County Council are ready to help colleagues who want to become a foster carer or supported lodgings carer find their work-life balance.,  

Kathleen Toner, Director of Engagement and Influence at the Fostering Network said;

"We are delighted that Essex County Council are now a Fostering Friendly employer. They deserve to be celebrated for achieving this status.

“By signing up to the scheme, they demonstrate a real commitment to valuing, respecting and supporting foster carer employees, those going through the application process and of course, children and young people in their community.

“Essex County Council is the largest local authority to achieve this status and we hope their example will encourage other employers to join the scheme, raise awareness of foster care and help recruit and retain the foster families needed to provide loving care to local children and young people."

How are we helping foster carers?  

We’re empowering anyone who is looking into becoming a foster carer to get the ball rolling. Your line managers will be supportive and empathic, as the role of a foster carer is respected.  

• openly discuss your expectations of balancing the two roles  
• offer flexible working (where possible) 
• emotional support is available via our Employee Assistance Programme. Free, confidential counselling and advice is available.  
• chat to other foster carers. Experienced carers are ready to support and mentor anyone getting started on their journey. 

Instead of using their own annual leave, foster carers and supported lodgings carers have access to additional time off.  

In early 2024, Essex County Council published a HR policy which sets out these details. Every year, colleagues can take the following paid time-off: 

• assessment and training before being approved as a carer - up to three days 
• attendance at panel for approval – up to one day  
• child review meetings, annual foster carer review meeting, training – up to five days 

Find out more  

For anyone working, in any role, at Essex County Council, the policy applies to you. Please contact the Fostering team with any questions you have, there’s no obligation to apply at any point.  

Email fosterrecruitment@essex.gov.uk for more details.