Fostering
Keep Darlington children in Darlington - start your journey today
Darlington Borough Council is part of a new collaborative partnership with the 11 other local authorities in the North East of England to collectively recruit much needed foster carers.
For the first time, anyone considering a career in fostering in our region will now benefit from a united, single support hub, Foster with North East [external link] which is backed by the Department for Education.
We’re joining forces with other local authority fostering teams across the North East region to bring together our in-depth knowledge about our communities in Darlington to further support the needs of families, children and young people.
You will continue to be supported by our experienced fostering team at Darlington throughout your application but our community of Foster with North East hub carers are also here to offer additional support and guidance throughout your fostering journey. Everyone is on-hand to support you from the initial application process and beyond.
We’re also working together to strengthen the North East fostering community through the Fostering Network’s Mockingbird programme, which we are the first region in the UK to be fully signed up to, and our new Foster with North East buddy mentor scheme, which links new foster carers to experienced foster carers in their area for further knowledge sharing and support.
To find out more or start your fostering journey today, head over to the Foster with North East website (Fosterwithnortheast.org.uk) or call on 0800 917 7771.
About fostering in Darlington
The aim of Darlington Borough Council Children’s Service is to try and keep families together.
However, there are times when this may not be possible.
Foster care and Supported Lodgings are services for children and young people who are unable to live with their own families.
Fostering provides a stable family life for children and young people when they cannot live with their families, so we are always looking for prospective enquiries [external link].
The children and young people placed with our foster carers are from a diverse range of backgrounds with a variety of needs. They all have one thing in common; they are children from our community who deserve the best that we can provide for them.
Darlington Borough Council foster carers give children the opportunity to thrive, achieve and be happy in a safe and loving home.
Supported Lodgings providers offer the next step to independence for young people aged 16 – 21 years who are leaving care.
Find out more about providing Supported Lodgings to a young person in Darlington or find out about Mockingbird to see how we're improving our foster care connections.
You really can make a huge difference to the future of local children by becoming a foster carer or Supported Lodgings provider in Darlington.
Take a look at our fostering videos to see how much of an impact you can make on a child's life.
Hear from more foster carers and take the next step to foster with us
If you are still at the early stages of your journey and have yet to make up your mind about fostering, please take a look at our FAQs or join us at one of our information events.
Hear from some of our existing foster carers about why they do what they do.
Find out more about fostering alongside your own children.
Our small fostering and Supported Lodgings team offers amazing help and support throughout your step-by-step journey to becoming a foster carer in Darlington.
To find out about adopting a child in Darlington:
Our adoption services are provided by Adoption Tees Valley [external link]. Please follow the link to find up to date information about our adoption services.