GRACE INITIATIVE: COMPASS FOSTERING

Compass Fosteing remains dedicated to fighting inequality and fostering inclusivity. Through our GRACE initiative and commitment to supporting our foster carers, we hope to continue transforming the lives of vulnerable children across the UK while also inspiring other agencies to follow suit.

Recruitment lies at the heart of our mission to build a diverse community of foster carers and staff Over the years, the recruitment process has been redesigned to remove barriers and biases, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants Compass platforms and website do not request information such as age, gender, religion or ethnicity upon enquiry, offering a non-prejudice service in line with our core values

Additionally, Compass has also implemented innovative programmes such as the Carer for Carer initiative, providing a platform for foster carers to network, share experiences and offer mutual support. This bespoke service not only fuels a sense of community, but also empowers carers to navigate through the challenges of fostering together. Applicants are also offered a wide array of in-house training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best possible care

Compass’ commitment to inclusivity extends beyond recruitment, permeating every aspect of our operations The GRACE (Group and Regional Ambassadors Committed to Equality) initiative exemplifies our efforts, with staff and carers coming together to tackle inequality and discrimination head-on

Through four dedicated GRACE groups focusing on Anti-Racism, Disability, Mental Health and Gender and Sexuality, Compass aims to understand and address the diverse needs of its community comprehensively, hosting a range of awareness events and fundraisers throughout the year

However, what we’re most proud of is the impact that our commitment to equality has on our foster carers “We joined Compass because they had a good record of delivering training and support through their foster carers”, shares one of our foster carers, Anjilah. Together with her husband, Anjilah joined Compass with a desire to make a difference, particularly in the lives of Black children. Their journey highlights not only the importance of foster carer communities, but also the transformative power of support and training provided by Compass “My husband and I knew from the beginning of our fostering journey that we needed to have a network of experienced foster carers around us ”

As they continue to make a lasting impact on the children within their care, Anjilah hopes that their story will “inspire and motivate potential foster carers, especially those from the Black community, to engage in the fostering industry” She emphasises that the need for Black foster carers is greater now than it was 25 years ago, when she first began her fostering journey “As a black foster carer, you are fulfilling a specific cultural need that hopefully improves the experience of black individuals in care by meeting their cultural identity needs' '

Despite making significant progress, we continue to recognise persisting challenges faced by foster carers, especially those from minority backgrounds We hope that as an organisation we can inspire others to begin their fostering journey, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, so that they can use their voices to help us advocate for a better and more inclusive world where every child has the opportunity to thrive

If you’re passionate about diversity and making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, we welcome you to join our community Together, we can build a brighter future where every child feels valued, supported and loved

To learn more about Compass and how you can get involved, visit www.compassfostering.com or give us a call on 0333 272 4129 Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any concerns of queries that you may have, ensuring that your fostering journey is as smooth as possible