Fosterline is extremely proud to announce that the Department for Education has awarded FosterTalk to deliver Fosterline England for a further two years after a rigorous tendering process.
FosterTalk is a not for profit organisation which supports foster carers across the UK. Fosterline is a free, confidential and impartial helpline and interactive website to support current foster carers and provides advice to those thinking of fostering. Website users can access a wide range of information about fostering, ‘live chat’ with an adviser or request a call back at a time convenient for them.
Since first winning the contract in July 2013, FosterTalk has gone from strength to strength earning accreditation to the Helplines Quality Standard as well as achieving the Customer Excellence Standard. Since the start of the contract, Fosterline has been able to provide advice and information to over 110,000 enquirers and looks forward to continuing to provide this essential independent service to foster carers in England for the next two years. The Fosterline Foundation has also been established by FosterTalk to raise funds to sustain this important helpline once the current funding ends in April 2018.
Steven Stockley, Fosterline Manager said, “We are delighted to be awarded this contract for the second time, it was a rigorous tendering process so we are really pleased. After using our service, foster carers’ comment to us that that they feel calmer, reassured, informed and empowered. Likewise, those who are thinking of fostering feel more knowledgeable about the assessment process and understand what their next step should be. I am very proud to manage this vital and valuable helpline.”
Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families, said:
“Every child deserves a loving home and the best possible start in life. My own parents fostered almost 90 children, so I know only too well that fostering is a hugely rewarding and life-changing experience – not only for the children who are cared for, but for foster families too. We must make sure we have as many people as possible, with the right skills and experience, coming forward to foster, and I believe Fosterline is a valuable source of advice and support that will help meet this need.”
Melody Douglas, FosterTalk managing director, said: “FosterTalk is extremely proud to deliver Fosterline on behalf of the Department for Education. Drawing on our expertise in supporting foster families over the last 11 years, we have built an excellent reputation in providing high quality, independent support offering legal advice, counselling, financial advice and intensive support for foster families going through difficult times.
FosterTalk helps more than 30,000 foster carers nationwide, working alongside over 125 fostering services in the support of their foster carers. FosterTalk’s membership package offers a range of support to foster carers including tax and benefits advice, guidance on education as well as access to thousands of discounts.
Fosterline is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) on 0800 040 7675 www.fosterline.info. If you prefer you can request a call back here, or live chat from 10am till 3pm, Monday to Friday.