Nurturing futures, one young person at a time.
Finding the information that you need to choose the organisation that you would like to foster with can be confusing. That's why we have created our "Introduction to Fostering" brochure. It is packed full of information to give you a good, general overview of fostering as well as a better feel for The Hazel Project and why we are rated "outstanding" by Ofsted.
Our Introduction to Fostering brochure includes videos of our Foster Parents, foster children and their families sharing their experiences of foster care and Foster Parent blogs which give insight into the realities of fostering. It outlines the process to become a Foster Parent, the support that foster families can expect when fostering with us and includes an overview of our fostering fees and allowances.
Why become a Foster Parent with The Hazel Project?
For the last 35 years, independent fostering organisations (like Diverse Care and Xcel 2000 - the two organisations working together to make the Hazel Project) have been looking after some of the most vulnerable children in the country on behalf of Local Authorities.
The work is equal parts challenging and rewarding. All of our children have experienced trauma that no child should. As a result, many of our children will be struggling at school and with their emotions and with their behaviour. Intellectually we can understand and explain their struggles - but the amazing bit of the work is that we manage to find truly astounding foster families who can live alongside these children and who contribute a great deal to their healing.
Our foster families have access to a suite of services and a comprehensive training programme to help them meet the needs of their vulnerable young people as well as receiving generous fostering allowance for their time and efforts. There is a strange opinion in this country that Foster Parents should not be well paid for the work they do. We have no problem paying nurses, therapists, doctors, teachers, social workers etc for the amazing work they do in the care sector - so why the difference? If we want the best people in the country to perform the task of living alongside traumatised children - we believe we have to pay them well. Otherwise, some people who could potentially be incredible Foster Parents will be lost to other professions.