Local company Anglian Water, charity Nene Park Trust and Meridian Trust, have all become the latest to sign up to Peterborough City Council's Foster Friendly initiative which will help to find more loving, safe homes for children and young people across the county.
Launched during Autumn 2025, the Foster Friendly employer scheme offers the opportunity for local businesses and organisations to make provisions for employees who want to become foster carers and support local children and young people.
Foster Friendly organisations should offer support to employees, including additional annual leave for meetings appointments and training, this is ordinarily a maximum of five working days a year for full time employees.
Head of People for Nene Park Trust Selina Wilson said: “At Nene Park Trust we’ve always been about supporting people, whether that’s our colleagues, our visitors or the wider community. Becoming Foster Friendly is another way we can do that. As a charity we want to make a positive difference for families in Peterborough, and fostering speaks directly to that.
"Too many children and young people in care have to move away because there aren’t enough local foster carers. If we can help change that by supporting our team members to foster, then it feels the right thing to do.
"For us, it’s about making sure colleagues know they’ll be supported in the workplace. That recognition can make a real difference and may even encourage more people to think about fostering."
Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Peterborough City Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Nene Park Trust has become our first Foster Friendly employer. By supporting employees who want to foster, they’re not only making a difference to their staff, but also to the children and young people in our community who need safe, loving homes.
“We hope other local businesses and organisations will be inspired to join this initiative. If more employers commit to being Foster Friendly, we could see a real increase in the number of foster carers here in Peterborough, something our children and young people urgently need.”
If you are interested in becoming a foster-friendly business, please get in touch with Peterborough City Councils fostering service on 01733 868686 or email fosteringteam@peterborough@gov.uk
To find out more about becoming a foster carer at Peterborough City Council’s visit: fosterwithpeterborough.org.uk