E-FACTOR is the latest organisation to join North East Lincolnshire Council’s Foster Friendly initiative with managing director Mark Webb keen to shout about the potential impact of the scheme across the borough.
Launched in May this year during Fostering Fortnight 2024, the Foster Friendly businesses scheme offers the opportunity for local businesses and organisations to make provisions for employees who are also foster carers, or those who may choose to become foster carers in the future. Foster Friendly organisations should offer support to these employees, including additional annual leave for appointments and training.
Contacted by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Children’s Services team, who are overseeing the initiative, Mark said: “We weren’t sure what becoming Foster Friendly would mean to us as a business but having met with the team, we took a look at our HR policies and quickly realised we are already supportive to staff in these circumstances, but we didn’t have a clear policy.
“Making a declaration to become Foster Friendly we believe is making a commitment to the community. There are so many young children in care, with many going out of area as there simply aren’t enough foster carers in North East Lincs.
“By supporting people who want to become foster carers we are removing a barrier. We should be a part of it.
“We are a part of our community, and we want to make sure we are proactive.” With more than 300 small businesses as members of E-Factor, and working with thousands of people each year, Mark and the team agreed that they had the opportunity to advocate on behalf of local children that need help.
“If we take all 325 of our members and they agree to become Foster Friendly, that will hopefully start to have an impact,” Mark continued. “It makes sense to businesses large and small, if we can do our bit, then we can all make a difference together.”
Mark and the E-Factor team were surprised at how simple it was to become Foster Friendly. “It is not necessarily about asking anyone to change,” he explained.
“It is about businesses being more explicit about what they can do to support foster carers in their employ. Recognising that they probably are already Foster Friendly.
“Of course, the flip side is that existing foster carers may want to work but think that employers are a barrier to their continued support of children in their care. If they think that they have a sympathetic ear in the workplace, it could encourage more of the local talent pool to apply for jobs, and you could find yourself with your best employee yet!”
The council’s portfolio holder for children and education, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, said: “We are delighted that E-Factor has joined the Foster Friendly initiative, agreeing to play their part in the wider community by supporting employees that are foster carers, and in turn the children in their care.
“With so many members in their organisation, we hope that some of these businesses will follow suit, and we could potentially see a surge of much-needed foster carers in North East Lincolnshire.” Interested in becoming a foster-friendly business?
Get in touch with the Fostering team at North East Lincolnshire Council.