Foster4 brings July drop-ins to Knowsley neighbourhoods
Knowsley’s regional fostering service, Foster4, is taking its recruitment campaign into local communities this month, with a series of informal drop-ins aimed at encouraging more residents to consider opening their homes to children who cannot live with their birth families. The council-backed team will be present at four locations across the borough between 14 and 28 July, offering advice, answering questions and supporting people to begin an application on the day if they wish.
Announcing the programme, Knowsley Council underscored the urgent need for additional foster carers in the region. The outreach initiative is designed to make it easier for prospective carers to speak directly with specialists, understand the assessment process, and explore the different types of fostering that may suit their household and circumstances.
When and where to attend
Residents can meet the Foster4 team at the following places and times:
| Date | Time | Venue | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July | 12pm – 2pm | The Coffee House, Kirkby | L32 8US |
| 23 July | 11am – 1pm | Home Bargains, Telegraph Way | L32 8US |
| 28 July | 10am – 12pm | Esposito’s, Court Hey Park | L16 3NA |
| 28 July | 2:30pm – 4pm | Whitakers Garden Centre, Prescot | L34 3AB |
The council says these sessions are suitable for anyone at any stage of interest — from those just beginning to weigh up fostering to people ready to take the next step. Alongside printed information to take away, staff can outline the support offer in Knowsley and discuss what day-to-day fostering entails.
Call from cabinet member
“We know that, for a variety of reasons, some children and young people are unable to live with their family for a period of time. Foster carers step in a play a pivotal role during this time, helping our children and young people to develop and succeed. You’ll also be supported at every step of the way. I’d encourage anyone to come along and find out more about becoming part of our foster care family.”
That appeal from Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, reflects a growing emphasis on recruiting local carers so children can maintain links with their schools, friends and communities. Officers say that having more approved households within Knowsley reduces the need for placements further afield, helping to keep vital routines and relationships in place.
What prospective carers can expect
At the drop-ins, Foster4 advisers will explain core aspects of the process and the support network around carers, including:
- How assessments work and typical timescales from enquiry to approval.
- The range of fostering options available, including short-term and longer-term care, and the matching process.
- Training, financial support and ongoing professional guidance provided to carers in Knowsley.
While the council has not published local figures alongside this announcement, its message is clear: more households are needed to provide safe, stable homes so children can remain connected to their communities. The service emphasises that carers receive structured training, regular supervision and practical help, particularly in the early stages after a child moves in.
How to get in touch
Residents who cannot attend a session can still contact the team directly for an informal conversation about eligibility, the steps involved and the support on offer. Foster4Knowsley can be reached by phone on 03456 460098, by email at FosteringAdmin@knowsley.gov.uk, or online via https://www.foster4.co.uk/knowsley/.
For Knowsley, the stakes are both practical and personal: increasing the pool of local carers reduces reliance on placements outside the borough and helps ensure children experience continuity in education and social life. The council’s roadshow represents a direct bid to meet that challenge by bringing the conversation into everyday settings where residents live, shop and spend time.
