Hillingdon Council is celebrating after recruiting 16 new fostering households in 2025/26 – the most ever in a single year.
This marks a significant step in the council's efforts to create thriving, healthy households that provide a safe and nurturing home to children in care.
The new carers represent a 60 per cent increase in the number joining the council since 2024/25.
The newly recruited households are comprised of a diverse mix of dedicated new carers and those who have transferred from independent fostering agencies.
Since May 2024, the council has been working to recruit its own carers to support more than 300 children in its care and help tackle the national shortage of carers.
Foster carers in Hillingdon can receive up to £1,500 per week and a 25 per cent reduction in council tax when looking after a child in care. The council also pays £1,000 towards utility bills and provides each family with a Platinum Merlin pass.
Felix, 42, and Diana Asamoah, 38, joined Hillingdon in November and now care for a 16-year-old girl. The couple have three children of their own.
Felix said: “We were delighted to be part of this whole fostering journey. What makes it much easier is the help that Hillingdon is giving to people who want to foster. Hillingdon has a great support system – we were really well prepared.”
“The package does help – my wife and I both work full-time. We thought we had to save money in preparation to foster and when we realised we could get support we thought ‘wow, this is really good’. It really helps your foster child.”
The couple were motivated to foster having lived in the borough for more than a decade, before moving to Burnham.
Felix explained: “Hillingdon has been our home and is still our home. We wanted to help the council support kids who need help – that’s why we chose Hillingdon. If we can help one child who’s in need, why not?”
Stephen and Hawanatu Kyagulanyi, from Hayes, have three daughters and joined the council in November and began fostering a 14-year-old girl just before Christmas.
Stephen said: “We have lived in Hayes for more than 10 years, have always wanted to help out in the community, and thought ‘we have a spare bedroom’.
“I think fostering has taught us not to be judgemental and to reach out to any child regardless.
“We always prioritise our child’s needs. We’ve taken her out and enjoyed various activities. The end of term is coming up, and we’ve got some sightseeing in central London and holidays planned. All these things cost and the support package has helped make this possible. The training has also been immensely helpful.”
Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our dedicated new carers, the largest number we have ever seen join the council in one year, meaning we can help even more vulnerable children and young people in the borough.
“This demonstrates the confidence and trust families are placing in us to guide them every step of the way through the approvals process, the wider training and support we have available and the impact of our generous support package.
“We are always keen to attract new carers to provide loving, secure, stable and nurturing homes to children who need them most and I’d encourage anyone interested in fostering to get in touch to find out more.”
An additional 23 carers are currently in the approval process and are set to join the council in the coming weeks and months.
Learn more about fostering for Hillingdon at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering
