As Torbay marks Children of Foster Carers Week (12-18 October 2026) families in the Bay are being asked if they could foster a cared for child?

Children of Foster Carers Week is The Fostering Network’s annual campaign to celebrate the vital contribution the children of foster carers make to foster care. Each October, fostering services across the UK recognise and reward the children of foster carers for the important role they play in their home, making children in care feel happier, welcome, safer and more loved.

Join a webinar with the Fostering Network

The Fostering Network is holding a free online webinar during Children of Foster Carers Week, where they will explore how fostering affects carers’ children, the importance of recognising and supporting their needs, and highlight the vital role they play in helping children in care thrive.

The webinar is on 14 October from 10.30am to 12pm. On the webinar, grown up children of foster carers about their experiences of growing up in a fostering family, and the impact it had on their lives.

The session will explore how foster carers can best support their birth and adopted children, including how to involve them in the fostering journey, recognise and respond to their needs, and help them feel valued as part of the fostering family.

To sign up for the webinar visit The Fostering Network website. 

You can also join one of the Fostering South West online information events via their website. 

Councillor Nick Bye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Torbay Council, said: “Children of Foster Carers Week is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the essential role these children play in making foster children a part of the family. I would also like to say a big thank you to all these children, and of course our fantastic Foster Carers who are so vital to our children in care – but we always need more so please get in touch if you are interested.

“In Torbay we always need all types of Foster Carers but at the moment we particularly need short breaks and respite fostering to provide emergency and short term support, and we also need more Foster Carers for our teenagers and older children.”

Last year John Jones, Managing Director of Dartmouth Steam Railway which hosts the annual Train of Lights, took part in a video to talk about his experience growing up with parents who foster, and you can watch his video here on our YouTube channel. 

Foster with Torbay – what we offer

Our dedicated Fostering team provide extensive support and training to both those working towards becoming Foster Carers and our existing carers. If you Foster with Torbay you will get access to:  

• Extensive support and training 
• a dedicated social worker 
• Mentoring from an experienced Foster Carer 
• Support phone line 
• access to a support network including local Foster Carers Forum 
• events for you and your family throughout the year from a summer barbecue to Christmas party and the Train of Lights. 

You can contact the Fostering service on 01803 207845, email fostering@torbay.gov.uk or complete an enquiry form on our website at www.torbay.gov.uk/fostering

You can also search #FosterWithTorbay on our Torbay Council social media channels (Facebook, NextDoor, LinkedIn and Instagram).