There are many ways you can be involved with improving Fostering for both Foster Carers and your Foster Children. Below are some of the regular meetings and groups which take place. If you would like further information please contact Brian Roberts on 07906 988992 or email ask@bedsfostercarers.co.uk

All Carers are encouraged to take advantage of the free membership of the Bedfordshire Association and nationally the Fostering Network. As a Foster Care Association we intend to continue as one organisation supporting all carers in Bedfordshire or who look after children in the care of Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire Councils. Therefore, we wish to make it clear that anyone who is a foster carer in Bedfordshire or who fosters Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire's looked after children wherever they live are entitled to free membership of Bedfordshire Foster Care Association. They do not need to be Local Authority Carers and people looking after children from their own birth families are also encouraged to take advantage of being members.

We hold regular monthly meetings and encourage carers to come forward and be part of the work we do for carers, their families and foster children. Our next meeting will be in January 2014 - date to follow shortly.

Please contact Brian Roberts on 07906 988992 or email ask@bedsfostercarers.co.uk or Call Hazel Philips on 01525 634671 for further information.

We hope to have a new date shortly. In the meantime please contact Brian Roberts with any questions or items you would like raising at the meeting. You can contact Brian on 07906 988992 or email ask@bedsfostercarers.co.uk

This is where elected members and directors from Bedfordshire Borough Council meet to monitor and ensure the well being of Children in Care and Care Leavers. Full details of meetings and minutes can be seen on the Bedford Borough Corporate Parenting Panel (click here)

Call Brian Roberts on 07906 988992 or email ask@bedsfostercarers.co.uk for further details.

This is where elected members and directors from Central Bedfordshire Council meet to monitor and ensure the well being of Children in Care and Care Leavers. Full details of meetings and minutes can be seen on the Central Bedfordshire Corporate Parenting Panel (click here)

Call Hazel Philips on 01525 634671 for further details.

Without the support of a small group of foster carers in Bedfordshire the Association cannot support you properly.  Working directly, with two Local Authorities is likely to increase some of the work that we do to support our carer members. In some cases that you may not be aware of is that we have either been under represented or not represented at all, at some of the important, but ‘behind the scenes’ meetings including Central Bedfordshire’s Corporate Parenting Panel. The committee is concerned that without more members we will not be able to cover everything that we want to do and also that the views of what is only a handful of Bedfordshire foster carers will not be representative of everyone who carers for Bedfordshire children.

With this in mind we are seeking volunteers to become involved in some of the work that we do. Our volunteers do not need to become involved in everything, but anything that you can do would be much appreciated. Please contact us for more information.