Campaign launched to encourage Blackpool residents to consider fostering

A new campaign has been launched to encourage residents to make a difference in Blackpool by consider fostering.

Blackpool Council is appealing to families to help local children and other families and support their local community.

The new campaign, Foster for Blackpool, aims to attract local people to come forward and find out more about fostering.

As a not-for-profit service, the council focuses on keeping Blackpool children in Blackpool, helping them to stay connected to their friends, family and school.

This means that the council’s foster carers make a positive impact on their local area alongside helping to improve children’s lives and achieve their potential in life.

Fostering also provides an enriching experience to develop skills and grow as a person as well as helping to create new friendships.

Jaime and Steve were recently approved as foster carers with Blackpool Council. The couple have five birth children aged 5-19 years old.

Jaime explains their decision to become foster carers. She said: “We wanted to give back to our local community and Blackpool is very much in need plus all the staff we’ve met so far have been lovely.

“We have a large family. I’m very lucky to be able to stay home and be there for my kids. Every school play, doctor’s appointments, and I wanted to be able to do that for others who may need the love and support.

“I was a young mum myself and without my family’s support, I wouldn’t be the mum I am today. We love having a fun busy crazy filled house.”

With a friendly network of local foster carers in Blackpool and the option to take part in regular social activities and events, fostering families have lots of external support from the community. This includes the Blackpool Foster Carers Association, which provides advice and support to the council’s approved fostering carers.

Foster carers also benefit from the council’s comprehensive support offer. With full training, ongoing support, peer mentors for new carers, an out of hours advice line, a dedicated supervising social worker and access to the in-house psychology team plus a competitive remuneration package, there’s lots of reasons to choose to foster with Blackpool Council.

A new fostering support programme called Mockingbird provides Blackpool Council’s children and their carers with support, including sleepovers and fun social activities with other foster families to mirror the role of an extended family. 

Despite the established community of foster carers in Blackpool, the council continues to see a shortage of foster carers compared to the number of children in need of a home.

There are currently more than 500 children in the care of Blackpool Council. Some of those children are in residential care and waiting for someone to provide a secure family home.

The council’s fostering service is looking for a diverse range of fostering families who can provide a safe and loving environment for children and young people.

Applicants need to have a spare bedroom and be at least 21 years of age.

Cllr Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s fantastic to hear about Jaime and Steve’s reasons to start fostering with us and their desire to make a difference in Blackpool. I would like to welcome them to Blackpool Council, and I am sure they will soon settle into our friendly local fostering community.

“By fostering with Blackpool Council, you can make a life-changing difference right here, in your community.

“With your support, we can continue to make a difference in this town and provide local children with the love and support that they need.

“Our fostering information events are a great way to find out more about fostering with us. We offer both in-person and online events throughout the year so we have lots of dates coming up in 2026. We would love to see you there.”

To find out more about fostering, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/fostering or call 01253 420222.