Who we are – Fostering South East

About us

Local Authority Fostering South East is a partnership of 20 local authorities from across the region with a shared common goal – to recruit and support more amazing foster carers able to provide safe, loving, and local homes for children in our communities.

Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), we are a virtual hub bringing together the collective expertise and resources of councils across the region. Our partnership ensures that prospective local authority foster carers across the South East have access to a centralised platform for enquiries and support, making it easier and a better time than ever to get involved in fostering.

Why foster with us?

Local Authority Fostering South East represents local authority foster care across the whole region and for the first time we’re joining forces to improve the foster carer journey and subsequently the outcomes for the children we care for.

In the South East, like most other areas, the number of children entering the care system is rising whilst at the same time, fewer people are making the decision to make foster care a part of their lives. Local Authority Fostering South East aims to grow the number of fostering families across the region, working with your local authority to enable you to care for children in your local communities who need it most.

Choosing to become a local authority foster carer with us offers numerous benefits.

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Streamlined enquiry process

Our centralised front door for fostering enquiries simplifies the process of enquiring about fostering. Regardless of your location within the South East of England, we will make sure your enquiry is handled promptly and efficiently, allowing you to take the first step towards becoming a foster carer with ease.

Collaborative support

We can provide you with access to a wealth of resources, support services, and expertise from our network of local authorities. Whether you’re new to fostering or have years of experience, our collaborative approach ensures that you receive the guidance and assistance you need to succeed.

Diverse fostering opportunities

Local authority fostering offers a wide range of full and part-time fostering options to suit different circumstances and preferences. Whether you’re interested in short-term, long-term, emergency, or respite fostering, we have opportunities available to match your skills and experience.

Find out more about why you should foster with your local authority

Meet the team

Natasha Sampson, Regional Strategic Lead

“As South Eastern Regional Strategic Lead, it fills me with great pleasure to introduce Local Authority Fostering South East to you all. As well as being a qualified social worker who has assessed many prospective foster carers, and experienced manager (across both Children’s and Adult Services), I was also a foster carer myself and wrote my masters dissertation on the recruitment and retention of foster carers in England. So, as you may see, I am deeply passionate about fostering and the recruitment hubs success. I love to talk to prospective foster carers and raise the banner celebrating our existing carers – you are amazing! So please do get in touch.

“As a region we will build a hub of excellence that serves the children in our care. We will grow from strength to strength, and offer foster carers, new and old, the support they need to offer children the stable loving homes they deserve.

“Whether you are still thinking about fostering, or are ready to take the plunge, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer a responsive, and supportive service, where your calls, emails and web enquiries will be answered by a team of staff who are as passionate about your fostering journey as I am.”