The Hounslow fostering community is coming together to mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign highlighting the transformative power of local care. This year, the spotlight falls on Dean and Nora, a local couple whose dedication to the borough’s children spans five decades. Since they began their journey in the 1980s, they have provided a stable home for an estimated 90 young people, witnessing first-hand the evolving needs of the local care system.
Five decades of dedicated care for Hounslow youth
Dean and Nora’s story is one of profound commitment. Having started fostering when the social landscape of West London looked very different, they have remained a constant for nearly half a century. Their experiences, captured in a new series of videos, offer a rare glimpse into a career defined by resilience and compassion. For the couple, fostering was never just about providing a bed; it was about integrated community support.
Their long-standing service mirrors other stories across London, such as the fostering legacy in Ealing where families have committed generations to the welfare of local children. In Hounslow, Dean and Nora have become pillars of the fostering network, proving that local residents have the power to provide the stability children need during their most vulnerable moments.
Why local placements matter for children in care
A central theme of Dean and Nora’s advocacy is the importance of keeping children within their home borough. Nora is vocal about the disadvantages children face when placed through Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) that may move them far from Hounslow. She notes that children are often “taxied in and taxied out” of their own communities, losing the vital local connections that help them thrive.
Dean echoes this sentiment, pointing out that moving a child out of the borough often severs ties with schools, friends, and extended family members. When a child stays in Hounslow, they maintain access to familiar environments and the support of aunts, uncles, or mentors who live nearby. This continuity is essential for their emotional well-being and long-term development. Similar efforts to keep children close to home are being championed by families in Bexley as part of a wider push for localized care networks across the capital.
Support and allowances for new Hounslow foster carers
To support the next generation of carers, Hounslow Council has structured a financial package designed to recognize fostering as a professional role. Carers in the borough can now receive between £408 and £848 per week. This figure is determined by the specific needs of the child or children in their care and consists of two parts: a fostering allowance to cover day-to-day costs and a professional fee that serves as an income for the carer.
This financial framework ensures that those with the heart to care also have the resources to provide a high standard of living. It reflects a growing recognition that foster carers are skilled professionals who require both emotional support and financial stability to succeed in their roles.
Meet the team at the Treaty Centre
For those inspired by Dean and Nora’s 50-year milestone, Hounslow Council is hosting a series of recruitment events at the Treaty Centre. From 11 May to 16 May, and again from 18 May to 22 May, the fostering team will be available from 10am to 4pm to answer questions and provide information on the application process.
Prospective carers will have the opportunity to engage in informal chats and, on specific dates (12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, and 22 May), meet existing foster carers to hear real-world accounts of the role. These sessions are designed to demystify the process and show how local residents can begin their own journey in supporting Hounslow’s youth.
Source: London Borough of Hounslow
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