Foster Care Fortnight 2026 brought foster carers, children, young people and council fostering teams together across the East Midlands from 11 to 24 May, with events designed to recognise family care and help new households understand what fostering involves.
The regional programme, held under the national Foster Care Fortnight campaign led by The Fostering Network, included celebration events, family activities and seven fostering information sessions delivered in person and online by Foster for East Midlands Councils.
East Midlands families gathered across four council areas
Events took place across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, bringing together foster families and local authority teams from the four council areas.
Children and young people in care showcased creativity and confidence at Nottinghamshire Fostering’s Got Talent, while Derbyshire foster families were recognised at the Derbyshire Believes in Me Awards at County Hall.
A coffee morning in Nottinghamshire connected Mockingbird foster carers with council leadership, giving carers a space to share experience and discuss the support offered through the Mockingbird model.
Families also attended cinema screenings at Showcase Cinema De Lux in Nottingham and Derby, offering a more relaxed setting for children, carers and wider fostering households to spend time together.
South Normanton fun day became the main regional gathering
A Foster Care Family Fun Day at South Normanton Post Mill brought families from all four local authorities into one shared event.
Activities included a bouncy castle, bubble activities, sports, music, dance, martial arts displays, soft play, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting and graffiti art. The day was also used for a joint pledge of support for fostering from Cabinet Members at Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families, sent a written pledge recognising the role of fostering and the work of local authorities and carers in the region.
How residents can find out about fostering
Foster for East Midlands Councils used the fortnight to run seven information events for people considering becoming foster carers. The sessions gave prospective carers a chance to hear from experienced carers and learn about support available through local authority fostering services.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Fostering for the East Midlands, said the events showed fostering as “care, connection, giving children stability and the best possible start in life.”
Source: Derby City Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on Derby City Council’s published account of Foster Care Fortnight 2026 activity across the East Midlands.
- Confirmed the event dates as 11 to 24 May 2026 from the council notice.
- Matched the regional scope to Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire references...
- Checked named organisations and roles against the source wording, including Foster for Eas...
- Kept practical fostering contact details out of the article body because no external links...
- Source
- Derby City Council
- Scope
- East Midlands
- Updated
- 2026-06-04 10:11
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Comments