October is Black History Month, and here’s a statistic we’ve been thinking about: 1 in 5 social workers in the UK have Black and/or Caribbean heritage. That’s a huge number of people who show up every day for children, young people and families, and this month we want to say thank you.
This year’s theme: Honouring Our Communities
The theme for Black History Month 2026 is all about recognising the people whose everyday contributions shape, support and strengthen Britain. Not just the famous names in history books, but the neighbours, colleagues and community figures who quietly make life better for those around them.
That feels especially close to home for us.
Why it matters in fostering
Black social workers, carers and community leaders have helped shape the way we care for children in the UK. They bring:
- Lived experience that helps children feel seen and understood
- A deep understanding of culture, identity and heritage, which matters so much for children in care
- Strong community ties that help children stay connected to who they are
Every child deserves to grow up feeling proud of their identity, and the people around them play a big part in that. As a fostering agency run by women of colour, this is close to our hearts. Culturally matched foster placements help children stay connected to their heritage, but foster carers of colour are in short supply across England, and more are badly needed.
Stick around this month
Throughout October, we’ll be spotlighting influential Black Britons who have shaped and influenced social work in the UK. Their stories are inspiring, and many of them deserve far more recognition than they get.
Follow along on our social channels, and if you’ve been thinking about fostering, we’d love to hear from you. Give our friendly fostering advisors a call on 0800 989 0135 or message us via the website.
