“Standing firm in power” is more than a theme — it’s a call to action. For the fostering and social care sector, it’s an invitation to rethink how we value and support Black and minority ethnic carers, and how we centre the identities of children in our care. For too long, power in fostering has been defined by systems, processes, and policies. But real power sits with the people who open their homes, nurture children’s identities, and advocate for their futures — our foster carers. And yet, many Black and minority ethnic carers still face systemic barriers that limit their impact: from culturally insensitive assessments to a lack of ongoing support that recognises their strengths and lived experience. Standing firm in power means we actively dismantle those barriers. It means designing systems that don’t just recruit carers but retain and empower them. It’s about training practitioners to understand cultural nuance, equipping teams with tools for anti-racist practice, and co-creating support that sees carers as partners, not participants. Children thrive when carers are confident, supported, and valued. Our job as a sector is to ensure that happens — not as an exception, but as standard. This Black History Month, let’s redefine power: not as something to hold onto, but as something to share in service of children’s identity, safety, and belonging. #fostering #blackhistorymonth #standingfirm #BFCA
