At The Acorns

Fostering Service in Yorkshire and the North East of England: Working to give Children and Young People the best chance

The Acorns Fostering Service is a Darlington-based organisation which is seeking to recruit people in the North East and North Yorkshire, from all walks of life who have the necessary enthusiasm and/or experience to provide fostering placements to children and young people who have a range of diverse needs.

05/06/2026

𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗡𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 !!!

🌈 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝗪𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗗𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧𝗤+ 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 🌈

When it comes to LGBTQ+ there are many misconceptions around fostering. Some of the more commomn misconceptions include:

👉“𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗳 𝗜’𝗺 𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹."

False – you can foster if you are gay or bis*xual. Your s*xual preferences will not affect your eligibility to foster in any way.

👉“𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

False – we welcome and encourage same-s*x foster couples.

👉“𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗳 𝗜’𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿.”

False – your gender will not be a determining factor in your fostering application.

👉“𝗜’𝗺 𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿.”

False – your s*xual orientation will not affect your application at all and being recently single won’t necessarily affect your ability to take care of a child. However, during the application process, there will be a full account taken of your life. Divorce can affect your financial and emotional stability, and these factors are important to consider before you decide if fostering is right for you.

𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 !!!

All potential foster parents, irrelevant of s*xual preferences, must meet initial requirements for fostering to continue with their application.

Factors including having a spare bedroom, being in good health, being at least 21 years of age, having enough time to provide child support and care (usually on a full-time basis) and being a full-time resident in the UK (or have leave to remain), must all be met.

Other factors, such as financial security, experience with children, having a safe home environment, a steady support network of friends and family to rely on and any past convictions, will also be considered for eligibility.

𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧𝗤+ 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 ...

If you are gay, le***an, bis*xual, transgender or living in a same s*x couple, and have ever wondered “can I foster?”, the answer is 100% “Yes”.

This June, we proudly stand with our LGBTQ+ fostering community - foster carers, children, young people, and allies- celebrating love, identity, and belonging.

Could fostering be for you?

☎ 𝟬𝟭𝟯𝟮𝟱 𝟰𝟴𝟱𝟭𝟰𝟯

03/06/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗜 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 ?

This is a question that comes up quite a lot.

Today we look at the facts about fostering and working.

1️⃣The decision to foster a child isn’t one you make overnight. There are a lot of things to consider, including the fact that you might need to have a second job while you foster.

2️⃣Fostering and working is probably more common than you might think.

3️⃣According to the Fostering Network, almost 40% of foster parents in the UK hold down another job alongside their fostering commitments.

4️⃣Times are tough at the moment for a lot of people, and also, family dynamics have shifted. Many people who want to care for vulnerable children aren’t married or in relationships, so don’t have a second income to support with finances. While finances won’t be the main reason behind your decision to become a foster parent, we understand they play a big role.

What’s important is that you’re dedicated to the child in your care, can meet their needs and still provide a safe, loving and nurturing home.

The fact is there are roughly 30,000 children entering the care system each year and we desperately need more people to become foster parents, including those who need to work and foster

𝗗𝗢 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 ...

Contact us Today about fostering and working

☎️01325 485143

31/05/2026

CATCH UP WITH KARIN

Karin is a single carer and continues to do incredible things with foster children.

We recently asked Karin what makes fostering with At the Acorns so special ?

This is what she told us ...

"I receive an awful lot of support from my colleagues and managers. The managers are very approachable and I have great support networks. All these things are vital to me as a single carer."

If Karin's thoughts have inspired you to have a chat with our team about fostering, then we would love the opportunity to have a chat with you.

📥Drop us a DM
☎ 01325 485143

27/05/2026

A WONDERFUL POEM WRITTEN BY A FOSTER CHILD THAT HAS JUST TURNED 18 🧡💙

We recently came across a really moving poem from a foster child.

The poem was posted on The Fostering Network social media pages.

This poem really does hit home about the impact that foster carers have on vulnerable children's lives.

Click on the link below and have a listen if you like 👍

If this poem has convinced you that fostering is something that you would like to try then our team would love to hear from you.

🔗https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E4ufZHyF4/

25/05/2026

𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗡'𝗧 !!!

We are a small Independent Fostering Agency that is based in the North East of England.

Those that follow us on our socials will know that we regularly share inspiring stories as well as words of advice in the hope that more people will consider foster care.

Here are some of the things our agency guarantees:

✅️Up to £570 per week tax free
✅️Reliable Support
✅️Proper training and preperation
✅️Respect and Inclusion
✅️Protection and Safeguarding
✅️Stability and Clear Communication

Could you be interested in Fostering with our small Independent Fostering Agency?

📥Drop us a DM
☎ 01325 485143

22/05/2026

𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐅, 𝐅𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 !!!

In order for our independent fostering agency to constantly develop and improve, it is important to us that our staff, foster parents and foster carers feed into process.

We recently caught up with Alan Wood our responsible individual to hear his thoughts on developing the service.

Have listen if you like by watching this short video 📽

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒?

📥Drop us a DM
☎ 01325 485143

20/05/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘 '𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘' !!!

Let's all take some time to appreciate them during Foster Care Fortnight.

Keep an eye on our socials and listen to some of the inspiring answers they give to questions when we recently met up with them to discuss all things Fostering.

Hopefully, their words and advice will inspire others to consider fostering 🙏

Remember - these people were all in your shoes at one point thinking 'should or shouldn't I foster'

Thankfully, they give it a go and have helped change the lives of lots of children !!!

18/05/2026

𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝟴 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦

Earlier this week we spoke to Peter about his fostering experience.

Looking back 8 years ago to when Peter started fostering, he gives his advice on what he would now tell his former self.

Have a listen to Peter by watching this video 📽

If Peter's thought and experience have inspired you to consider fostering then we would love to hear from you.

📥Drop us a DM
☎ 01325 485143

15/05/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐖𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐄-𝐀𝐍𝐍 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆

We asked her about what 'DOING SOMETHING INCREDIBLE' means.

Julie-Ann gives her heartfelt thoughts on why someone becoming a foster carer is 'DOING SOMETHING INCREDIBLE'

The reality is that what people perceive as small wins are actually BIG wins for the vulnerable foster children that we work with.

If you can you offer a child a safe environment to grow and thrive then let's have a chat

📥Drop us a DM
☎ 01325 485143

13/05/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠 👍

Yesterday it was great to catch up with our foster carers at our Foster Carer Forum.

Our foster carer forums are a structured space where foster carers can connect, share experiences, and influence the quality of fostering services.

They benefit carers, children, and fostering organisations in several ways:

✅️Peer Support and Reduced Isolation

✅️Sharing Practical Knowledge

✅️Give Foster Carers a Voice

✅️Improve Outcomes for Children

✅️Strengthen Relationships with the Fostering Service

✅️Support Recruitment and Retention

✅️Encourage Continuous Improvement

Here is a sneak preview of the day 📽

Keep an eye on our socials for some heartfelt conversations we had with our foster carers. We discussed what fostering means to them and the advice they would give to anyone considering foster care.

Address

33 Kellaw Road, Yarm Road Business Park
County Durham
DL14YA

Telephone

01325 485143

Website

http://www.acorncare.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when At The Acorns posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in county Durham?