FOSTERING services across the country have joined together for the national release of a new short film commissioned by the largest collaboration of local councils and children’s trusts from all over England.

The unique film project, developed by the West Midlands Regional Fostering Recruitment Forum, is now working with councils around the country, aimed at helping to find more foster carers who can provide homes for the children and young people who need them.

The short film, called ‘Out There’, highlights the ways fostering can make a difference to the lives of everyone involved, from the children and young people who live with foster carers, to those who come forward to care for them.

Councillor Sue Duffy, portfolio holder for Children & Families said: “While we already have many brilliant foster carers in the Bradford district, the reality is we always need more people to open their homes and their hearts to fostering.

"This project has been a brilliant way of working together to make the production of a high-quality film that will be a real asset to our recruitment of new foster carers for the Bradford district.

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"The aim is that this film will be shared on social media in cities, towns and villages right across the UK, reaching countless people and showing them the many benefits fostering brings and helping children and young people into safe, nurturing homes and we are very proud to have played a part in making it happen.”

A total of 34 local authorities have been involved in the project, and the film premiered on Tuesday.

David Johnston, Assistant Director Children’s Social Care said: “By being a part of this project, we can see that we get the best benefits from pooling resources. The time, knowledge and expertise that working as partners has brought to this project can now help the children and young people in our area.

“Previous films produced by the partnership have been really well received and have directly led to more people coming forward to foster in the participating areas, and so this time we thought we should be more ambitious and take a national approach, and we are very proud of the result.

“Out There is a beautifully poignant film which really captures many of the thoughts and emotions being felt today, particularly as many people have reflected during the pandemic about their life choices and the importance of community support. I think the film itself and the collaborative approach really demonstrates the benefit of collaborative working.”

The film is available to watch and share on Bradford Council’s YouTube channel.

Anyone interested in fostering for Bradford Council can find more information on the website www.fosteringbradford.com.