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 family life in foster care and help new households understand how to get involved.
The regional programme included family activities, awards, information sessions and gatherings across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Foster for East Midlands Councils also ran seven fostering information events, both in person and online, for residents considering becoming foster carers.
Family events across the East Midlands
One of the main gatherings was the Foster Care Family Fun Day at South Normanton Post Mill, where families from all four local authority areas took part in activities including sports, music, dance, soft play, storytelling, arts and crafts, face painting and interactive stalls.
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 event. Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister also sent a written pledge recognising the work of local authorities and foster carers.
Other events included Nottinghamshire Fostering’s Got Talent, the Derbyshire Believes in Me Awards at County Hall, cinema screenings in Nottingham and Derby, a Nottingham City Council summer picnic and a Derby City celebration for foster carers who have supported children through to adoption.
How residents can learn about fostering
The fortnight also had a recruitment focus. Foster for East Midlands Councils used the campaign to explain what fostering involves, what support is available through local authority services, and how experienced carers manage the role day to day.
Residents comparing local fostering opportunities may also find this recent coverage of Foster Care Fortnight events in Stockport useful for wider context on how councils are encouraging new carers.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Fostering for the East Midlands, said the events showed fostering as care, connection, stability and support for children and families. People in the East Midlands can find out more through Foster for East Midlands Councils or by calling 03033 132 950.
Source: Derby City Council
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This article is based on Derby City Council’s published account of Foster Care Fortnight 2026 events across the East Midlands.
- Confirmed the event period as 11 to 24 May 2026.
- Matched the named local authorities involved in the joint fostering pledge.
- Checked the quoted role of Councillor Paul Hezelgrave against the source text.
- Kept practical contact information to the details provided by the council.
- Source
- Derby City Council
- Scope
- East Midlands
- Updated
- 2026-06-04 10:09
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