Fostering news

Oldham Council has opened the new 'Stepping Forward' drive to move children out of residential homes and into local foster families. The move comes as the cost-of-living squeeze continues to push more children into care, with council figures showing a steady rise since May 2023.

Mayor Eddie Moores and his wife Kath, who began fostering at 25, are fronting the appeal. They say the memories they have built with their foster children are the reason they are asking others to consider the role now.

Backing the campaign is a short film called 'Everything', released in November, and a support scheme borrowed from the national Mockingbird programme. The scheme links foster homes in small 'constellations' so carers and children have a ready circle of help; it was launched at Cockfields Farm last March.

Recent award nights have underlined how deeply fostering is woven into Oldham life. In October the council honoured carers who between them have given 175 years of care, while a single mum and her twin daughters were celebrated in June for 51 years and more than 300 children.

Same-sex couple Sharon and Bev, recognised during LGBT+ History Month, are held up as proof that love and stability matter more than labels. With demand still climbing, the council says the next family to step forward could be anyone living on an Oldham street today.