Mum first in area to foster child through new scheme

Laura and her daughters welcomed a baby boy into their home

A woman who lost her husband to Covid has become the first in her area to foster a child through a new scheme.

Laura, from Stockton, signed up to be part of the Foster with North East programme.

She and her two daughters have welcomed a baby boy into their home, and the mum urged others interested in fostering to find out more.

"When I lost my husband to Covid I paused the idea for a while, but I felt that now is the right time," she said.

Laura said her daughters, aged eight and 13, were "very, very excited" to have a boy join the family.

"Most of the cousins in our family are girls," she added.

'Nana fostered too'

She said after she was approved it was a "matter of days" before she received a referral for a baby she had been successfully matched with.

"My nana fostered when I was growing up, so it is something that I have always been around and have wanted to do," she added.

"I researched online and found that the council can help with fostering so I gave them a ring to find out more."

Foster with North East is a partnership between 12 local authorities which aims to recruit and support foster families.

The pilot scheme was launched nine months ago and Laura is the first foster parent in Stockton to look after a child through the programme.

Majella McCarthy, Stockton Borough Council's director of children's services, said: "People from all walks of life and backgrounds can foster, so if you think you can give a child a safe and loving home, please get in touch to find out more.

"There is a lot of support and guidance available through Foster with North East and the council's fostering team will guide you every step of the way."