Derby foster care events bring families together: what residents need to know

By Munisha editorial team. Published 4 June 2026, based on Derby City Council source material.

Foster Care Fortnight 2026 brought foster carers, children, young people and council teams together across the East Midlands from 11 to 24 May, with events designed to recognise the families who provide stable homes for local children.

The regional programme included celebration events, family activities and seven fostering information sessions delivered by Foster for East Midlands Councils, the recruitment service covering local authority fostering across the region.

East Midlands families marked Foster Care Fortnight

Events took place across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire under the national Foster Care Fortnight 2026 campaign led by The Fostering Network.

Children and young people in care took part in Nottinghamshire Fostering’s Got Talent, while foster families in Derbyshire were recognised at the Derbyshire Believes in Me Awards at County Hall. Nottinghamshire also hosted a coffee morning for Mockingbird foster carers with senior council representatives.

Families were offered shared social time too, including cinema screenings at Showcase Cinema De Lux in Nottingham and Derby. The largest gathering was the Foster Care Family Fun Day at South Normanton Post Mill, where activities included sports, music, dance, martial arts displays, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting and soft play.

For readers following fostering support elsewhere, Munisha has also covered fostering experiences in West Northamptonshire.

Councils used the campaign to encourage new carers

Cabinet members from Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council presented a joint pledge of support for fostering during the family fun day. Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families, also sent a written pledge.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Fostering for the East Midlands, said the fortnight showed fostering as “care, connection, giving children stability and the best possible start in life”.

How residents can find out about fostering

People interested in becoming foster carers in the East Midlands can contact Foster for East Midlands Councils for information about local authority fostering services, support and next steps.

The service directs residents to fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk and its phone line, 03033 132 950.

Source: Derby City Council

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Source check Source trail

This article was adapted from Derby City Council's published notice about Foster Care Fortnight activity across the East Midlands.

Checks

• Confirmed the publication date as 4 June 2026.
• Matched the event period to 11-24 May 2026.
• Kept named councils, venues and roles as stated in the source material.
• Separated fostering information details from celebration event coverage.

Derby City Council Check wider coverage

Source

Derby City Council

Scope

East Midlands

Updated

2026-06-04 10:33

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Article contextPeople & topics2#7

Josh MacAlisterPaul Hezelgrave

#Derby City Council#Derby foster care#East Midlands fostering#Foster Care Fortnight 2026#Foster for East Midlands Councils#local authority fostering#The Fostering Network

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