Fostering staff at Tachbrook Market during Foster Care Fortnight
Hammersmith & Fulham is marking Foster Care Fortnight with two weeks of casual information sessions on fostering across West London.
Whether you know fostering is in your future, or simply want to find out more, come on down to hear from our experienced experts.
One of our events is in Hammersmith. We're holding a drop-in coffee session on Wednesday 24 May at the Quaker Meeting House, W6 0DT from 10am to 12 noon.
We're also holding a virtual online information session on Thursday 25 May from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Register for your spot today.
Other events across West London include:
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Information stall at Tachbrook Market
Tuesday 16 May
42 Tachbrook Street, SW1V 2JS
This stall is running from 10am to 4pm.
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Information stall at Portobello Road Market
Friday 19 May
Portobello Road, W11 1LU
This stall is running from 9:30am to 3:30pm.
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Drop-in coffee session
Monday 22 May
City Hall Victoria (Room 18.05), SW1E 6QP
From 2pm to 4pm.
To find out more email fostering@rbkc.gov.uk, or visit our fostering website.
Or, if you would like to speak to someone in person, you can call for an informal chat on 020 8753 1057. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm.
About Fostering
H&F offer six types of fostering schemes, from short breaks to family support, meaning fostering can work around your lifestyle.
"The dedication of our foster parents is one the many things that are helping to make H&F a stronger, safer, kinder borough," said Cllr Alex Sanderson, H&F Cabinet Member for Children and Education.
"Every child deserves a safe, loving and stable home, and it is fantastic residents who foster care that make this a reality for our young people. They're inspirational, and I'm so thankful for their service."
Meet H&F's most decorated foster carer
West Kensington's Hanora McCool, 68, has looked after more than 240 local children over the last 36 years.
The grandmother is one of the 206 foster carers who helped care for almost 400 children and young people across H&F, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea in 2022.
Her 36 years of foster care is a huge commitment. In 2022, across H&F, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, only one in five of fostering approved households had been fostering for more than 20 years – the average was 12.5 years.
"I was originally a childminder, and someone from the council came to our support group to tell us about fostering. It was always something I'd wanted to do, so I signed up," said Hanora.
Hanora fosters children aged 0-11, sometimes for as little as a few days, but has fostered some children for as long as four years.
"Sometimes I look after a little one if mum had to go into hospital and there's no one else to look after them, and sometimes it's for a much longer stretch while the Foster Team work out if it's suitable for the child to return home," she said.
I absolutely love it
Hanora has no plans to stop fostering any time soon.
"I can't imagine not doing it to be honest with you, I absolutely love it. As long as my doctor says I'm fit enough to continue, I will," said Hanora.
"Children who are being looked after thrive on having a routine, boundaries, stability, and trust and love, no matter how short a time they're with you."
"You may take on children who are quite delayed or who arrive with attachment disorders. Some of them might even fall over and won't come for comfort, but it's so nice when you do see them start to make those attachments, because you know they'll be able to make those connections with their permanent family. It's incredibly rewarding."
Emergency placement
Hanora is also on the 'out of hours' list, meaning she can get a call for an emergency placement at any time of day.
"On one occasion I had a child arrive at one o'clock in the morning, because their parent had been arrested overnight."
These emergency placements are not regular, but Hanora is happy to step in when needed.
H&F supports everyone in the fostering system – children and carers. Hanora has her own allocated social worker and a support system in place including a back-up carer so that she can take time off.
Read more about the experiences of local Foster Carers.
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