East Sussex Foster Care Association

Facilitating life changing experiences for fostered children to enable brighter futures for the whole fostering family. East Sussex Foster Care Association (ESFCA) is a local independent charity serving the needs of foster carers, their families and the children who are placed in their care by the local authority. ESFCA aim has always been to “build brighter futures” for children in care and to support foster families in their role, including recognising the contribution our own children make. This continues to be done through fundraising so that we can deliver a large range of activities and services. Over the last 30 years ESFCA has grown from the Uckfield support group to the association we are today, covering the whole of East Sussex and over 250 foster families. ESFCA has always remained proudly independent of the East Sussex County Council (ESCC), but we are also very proud of the very special relationship we have created with the fostering service and social workers. The association arranges monthly surgeries for foster carers to attend and is often asked to provide feedback on policies and practices. Social workers take part and join the children on PGL residential trips and volunteer to help on some of the activities the association run throughout the year. The association feels strongly about training and education for our members and regularly provides training seminars and conferences for the carers, social workers, and the various child services across East Sussex. ESFCA has a goal that grabs the imagination of all foster carers and volunteers, and that is to allow the children to create their own happy memories by having fun and taking on activities by bringing them out of their comfort zone.