It is vital that equality, diversity and inclusion are central to our fostering community. Class, gender, race, sex, age, faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability should never prevent you from getting in touch and will never prevent your application from progressing.
We are proud of our unique fostering community, which includes children and foster carers from a wide range of backgrounds. We are keen to recruit foster carers from all walks of life.
Black, Asian and minority ethnic foster carers
As more children from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds come into care, we are urging people from Black, Asian, and mixed-race communities to consider becoming foster carers. Identity is important for all children, but it is particularly crucial for Black, Asian and minority ethnic children placed in foster care to grow up understanding their roots and their culture.
In Brighton & Hove, there is a shortage of foster carers with the same cultural or ethnic background as the children coming into care, which means that children from Black and Asian communities will often be placed with foster carers from a different background. Black and Asian foster carers are often well placed to help foster children from the same background, as they can help these children to develop a sense of pride and achievement and to make better sense of their history and identity.
Brighton and Hove is a vibrant, multicultural city with a diverse population of children in care. Across the city, at least 50 languages are spoken, representing people from around the globe who practice a range of religions. Some of our young people in care are unaccompanied asylum seekers and Muslim and, as with all children who are fostered, it is important that they have carers who best suit their needs.
Read and watch more about our commitment to Black, Asian, and mixed-race communities.
- Foster carer Stella urges people from Black, Asian and mixed-race communities to consider fostering.
- Foster carer Stella explains why we need more people from Black, Asian and mixed-race communities to foster.
- Read more about cultural needs in care.
- Brighton & Hove foster carer Fiona talks about mis- and under-representation of Black people in fostering
- We are proud to work alongside Muslim Foster Network - a unique network that supports potential Muslim foster carers and children in care to ensure their faith and cultural needs are met.
- Find out more about fostering Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and Young People
- Brighton & Hove foster carers talk about their experiences of looking after Unaccomanpied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and Young People.
- Brighton & Hove City Council pledges to be an anti-racist city
LGBTQ+ foster carers
Foster carers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary or trans are a vital part of our fostering community. We are looking for caring, kind people who can provide a loving home for children from all backgrounds. The experiences and resilience of LGBTQ+ carers can be of great support to children who are exploring or questioning their sexuality or identity, and for children who may have experienced discrimination and prejudice.
We are a member of New Family Social (NFS), a UK charity, led by LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers. NFS exists to help you decide if adoption or fostering is right for you and will support you throughout the fostering assessment process and post approval. NFS offers impartial advice, forums and events and it is run by LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers who have been through this process themselves.
Read and watch more about our commitment to LGBTQ+ communities.
- Here's how we celebrated Pride in 2019. We can't wait to be able to take part in the Brighton Pride community parade again.
- Foster carers Chris and Kieran share their experience of fostering teenagers in this short video clip.
- Foster carers Sarah and Gemma share their experience of fostering mixed-race siblings.
Training and support
In addition to our ongoing package of training and support, we also offer;
- A Cultural Identity Support Group, open to all carers
- Mandatory training on caring for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic children
- Plenty of resources and support to help carers meet the specific needs of Black, Asian, minority ethnic and LGBTQ+ children and young people.
- The opportunity to buddy up with an experienced foster carer of Black, Asian, minority ethnic and LGBTQ+ children and young people.
- Specific training and a lively, informed support group for carers looking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people