When children come into foster care, they are often facing one of the most uncertain and emotional times in their lives. Alongside changes in home, school and routine, many children are also separated from their brothers and sisters. For many children, sibling relationships are the longest and most consistent relationships they have, which is why maintaining these connections is so important. The Importance of Sibling Relationships Brothers and sisters often share experiences

This month, we were delighted to welcome Dr. Celia Harbottle for an insightful, in-person training  focused on The Care Act and Mental Capacity.  Dr. Harbottle’s expertise provided a valuable deep dive into these complex legal frameworks, offering our team practical clarity on how to better support those in our care. All attendees found the sessions as enriching, and we extend our sincere gratitude to Celia for sharing her time and extensive knowledge with us.

This week marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week , a global initiative that encourages greater understanding of the different ways people think, learn and experience the world. At Orchard Care Fostering, we know that every child is unique. For some children in care, differences in how they process information, communicate or respond to the world around them may be linked to neurodivergence. Neurodiversity recognises that conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and

Lets Talk Fostering: Kate and Eva spent a day at the Makers Market at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart on the 14th March to raise awareness of the need for foster carers in the North East. It was a very busy day and it was great to connect with the local community.

It was an absolute pleasure to spend the weekend with such an engaged and passionate group of prospective foster carers at our latest Skills to Foster Training. The energy in the room was brilliant, and the commitment to making a difference in children’s lives was truly inspiring. A huge thank you to two of our current foster carers who joined us to share their real-life experiences and insights. Your stories and first-hand advice are invaluable to those starting their journe

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already spent your morning coordinating school runs, navigating complex emotions, or ticking off a never-ending to-do list. In the world of fostering, we talk a lot about 'self-care,' but let’s be honest: when you’re responsible for the well-being of a child, a week-long spa retreat isn’t just unlikely—it’s impossible. At Orchard Care Fostering, we know that 'caring for the carer' isn't about luxury. You are the engine of your home,

Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse. During this half term, we were delighted to host a group activity to celebrate these festivities together. On Saturday, February 22nd, our carers, young people, and staff joined the spectacular parade in Newcastle City Centre. A huge thank you to our Support Team for putting together such a memorable event; it was clearly a wonderful celebration filled with colour, culture, and community spirit that brought everyone together.

At Orchard Care Fostering , we pride ourselves on having a confident and proactive approach to everything we do. We believe that the best way to support the children and young people in our care is to ensure our staff and carers are fully informed, up to date, and equipped with the right tools. Upcoming Training: Drug and Alcohol Awareness We are pleased to announce that we have booked an upcoming training session with the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (Wayt

All foster carers, whether new or experienced, should always have access to valuable information and resources. At Orchard Care Fostering, our expert team provides extensive support and advice. But let's not forget about Fosterline . They're a free , confidential, and independent service in England, funded by the Department for Education. It supports both prospective and approved foster carers, providing guidance on all aspects of fostering, including dispelling myths and

We are looking forward to many amazing things this year! You could be part of this journey too!

On the 17th December our foster carers and staff came together for a three course Christmas Fayre Lunch at The Duke of Wellington, Durham. Everyone enjoyed pulling a cracker, reading the cheesy jokes and a good catch up before the full festivities of Christmas began. It was lovely to see everyone in their Christmas jumpers too!

Sarah and Eva attended the Blackhall Community Centre Christmas Fayre in the middle of December to raise awareness of the urgent need for foster carers in the North East. We also raised money for The Red Sky Foundation by raffling some festive wicker reindeers,

In early December, Eva and Kate attended the Christmas Fayre of Evergreen Primary School in Bishop Auckland. Whilst raising awareness of the urgent need for foster carers in our area we raffled a beautiful christmas wreath that had been handmade by Kate. The raffle raised money for The Red Sky Foundation.

This November, we equipped our carers and staff with crucial, life-saving skills by hosting a Paediatric First Aid Course. The safety and well-being of the children in our care are our top priorities, and this specialised training ensures our team is confident and prepared to handle a range of emergency situations, from minor incidents to critical events. Participants gained practical knowledge in areas like CPR, choking, head injuries, and allergic reactions, tailored specif

There were plenty of Tricks and Treats at Darlington's Halloween Market on the 31st October. Donna and Kate were there all day to raise awareness of the urgent need for foster carers in our area. It was lovely to chat with so many people and we absolutely loved seeing you in your fantastic costumes too!

On Wednesday 29th October we hosted our Orchard Care Halloween Party for our children, young people, foster carers and staff. It was a fang-tastic afternoon full of games, treats, costumes and plenty of laughter.

We had a fantastic time hosting our Breast Cancer Awareness coffee morning on Wednesday, October 22nd! Staff, carers, and local businesses came together to enjoy a cuppa and some cake, all while raising money for this vital cause. It was also a great opportunity for anyone in the local area to drop in and ask us questions about fostering. It was lovely to see so many come along and show their support. So far we have raised over £150. Thank you!

Donna and Kate spent another day at Darlington Market on the 11th October to raise awareness of the need for foster carers in the North East. It was a very busy day and it was a great opportunity to connect with the local community.

Eva and one of our amazing foster carers spent a day at Shotten Community Hub Festival on the last Saturday of September. They were there...

A Day at Darlington Market: Donna and Kate spent Friday, August 8th at Darlington Market to raise awareness for the need for foster...