We need Black and Minority Ethnic Foster Carers for Black Children

Brighton and Hove is a vibrant and diverse City with a broad range of communities from many different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds including, Black British, African Caribbean, African and Asian.

There has been a significant Black community in Brighton and Hove since the 19th Century and this community currently makes up approximately 7% of the overall population of the city

The cultural diversity of Brighton is also demonstrated by the fact that Brighton and Hove Interpreting service provides interpreting and translation for more than 80 languages throughout the City.

We strive to recruit foster carers who can respect and value a child’s ethnic and cultural background At present, we have children from many different backgrounds requiring short or long-term fostering and adoptive families. These children vary in age from babies to teenagers.

To meet the needs of these children we particularly need Black African, Black Caribbean, Mixed Heritage, Irish and Asian carers and well as White British families.

We also have a number of unaccompanied minors in foster care and are seeking to recruit foster carers to assist these young people to adjust to living in the UK and help them to prepare for living independently.

We have been successful in recruiting some carers from the Black communities, but we are keen to recruit more so that we can ensure that Black children who need foster care are placed with families that reflect their ethnicity, heritage and cultural background.

As part of our commitment to recruiting more Black foster carers, we have a specialist worker whose role is to develop links with the Black communities within Brighton and Hove and encourage people to take that first step to find out more about becoming a foster carer.

Her name is Virginia Collison and she is based at the Fostering and Adoption Team, 253 Preston Road, Brighton.. You can contact her on (01273) 295444 or virginia.collison@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Please click here to view a list of events that are taking place in Brighton and Hove for Black History Month