Mayor Woodley column: 'Fostering for Hackney Council means you are helping children and your community'

Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley's column in the May 2024 edition of Love Hackney:

Summer is coming and with it a chance to vote for who you want to lead the government! A general election has been called, and if you need to register to vote, you can find out how on page 5. Before I get out on the campaign trail, I want to share some news from the Council.

Firstly, I’m very happy to say that Dawn Carter-McDonald has been appointed Hackney Council’s Chief Executive. Dawn is an excellent public servant and has served the borough brilliantly for almost two decades. Hackney born and bred, Dawn understands the challenges we face here, and always works collaboratively to find solutions.

Dawn has successfully led the Council through a period of considerable change and challenge, providing stability and dedication. I am always grateful for her support and hope you can join me in wishing her well and congratulating her on her appointment.

I can also confirm looked-after children in Hackney are now able to join our housing register from the age of 18. This is a positive move towards securing long-term housing for our young people. We will continue to provide a home for all children and young people in our care until the age of 21, but being on the housing register will give them a head start in finding suitable places to live.

It is another step in delivering on the commitments of the Hackney promise to children in care. This is a new charter outlining our support for children in care. It commits us to offering support to care leavers as they transition into adulthood. We were recently proud to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight, recognising the important work of our foster carers in Hackney. Nationally there has been a 41 per cent decline in foster carer approvals in the last 12 months.

In Hackney we have almost 400 children in care and only 130 approved foster carers. We have also seen the number of mainstream fostering homes in Hackney shrink for the second year and we really want to turn this around.

Fostering for Hackney Council means you are helping children and your community by keeping children local, close to their family, schools and friends.

You can receive a Council Tax reduction and a dedicated social worker. It’s so inspiring to hear foster carers share their experiences.

If you think you can offer a child a much-needed home, visit: hackney.gov.uk/fostering

I’ll write to you all again soon!