Bedfordshire councils secure government backing for new fostering hub

Bedfordshire councils secure government backing for new fostering hub tanya.celine Thu 06/08/2026 11:16am 6 August 2026 Fostering in Bedfordshire Children and young people Children in care Foster East - Bedfordshire and Luton will provide a more joined-up and consistent approach to fostering across the three council areas. The hub will support people from their first enquiry about fostering, through assessment, approval, training and ongoing support. This end-to-end approach is designed to make the process clearer for prospective foster carers, improve retention and help ensure foster carers feel supported throughout their fostering journey. The new hub is part of the government’s national ambition to create 10,000 additional foster places by April 2029, helping to make sure there is a fostering placement available for every child who needs one. Across the Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Bedford partnership area, the hub will work towards increasing total foster capacity to 478 places by 2028/29. Foster carers provide safe, stable and loving homes for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. More foster carers are needed nationally and locally to