The John Lewis Partnership (John Lewis & Waitrose) have just announced a new initiative .... they will offer an additional week of leave to all new and existing foster carers within the business.
This is such good news and really great to see them supporting foster carers in this way. They have now been recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer, making them the largest organisation to receive the accreditation to date from the Fostering Network.
John Lewis Partnership chair Dame Sharon White said: “We are incredibly proud to be giving even more support to our partners who are foster carers. They will now qualify for an additional week of paid leave, meaning they will have more flexibility to balance all the things they need to be great foster carers – attending appointments or undertaking training.
“There is a national shortage of foster carers, leaving many children without a stable background and unable to fulfil their potential. We are delighted to be playing our part to support foster carers as part of a broader programme of helping care experienced young people to get access to jobs and training in the partnership.”
The John Lewis Partnership has already taken some really nice steps to support, and raise awareness of foster care, from last year's Christmas advert to their Building Happier Futures Programme. They have now strengthened their commitment with this latest announcement in the run-up to Foster Care Fortnight which runs from Monday 15 May - Sunday 28 May 2023, where the theme this year is #FosteringCommunities.
Image credit and more info at The Fostering Network
Kate Lawson the Fostering Network director of external affairs said: “The John Lewis Partnership has done so much to support foster care and provide opportunities for care experienced young people.
This is such good news and really great to see them supporting foster carers in this way. They have now been recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer, making them the largest organisation to receive the accreditation to date from the Fostering Network.
John Lewis Partnership chair Dame Sharon White said: “We are incredibly proud to be giving even more support to our partners who are foster carers. They will now qualify for an additional week of paid leave, meaning they will have more flexibility to balance all the things they need to be great foster carers – attending appointments or undertaking training.
“There is a national shortage of foster carers, leaving many children without a stable background and unable to fulfil their potential. We are delighted to be playing our part to support foster carers as part of a broader programme of helping care experienced young people to get access to jobs and training in the partnership.”
The John Lewis Partnership has already taken some really nice steps to support, and raise awareness of foster care, from last year's Christmas advert to their Building Happier Futures Programme. They have now strengthened their commitment with this latest announcement in the run-up to Foster Care Fortnight which runs from Monday 15 May - Sunday 28 May 2023, where the theme this year is #FosteringCommunities.
Image credit and more info at The Fostering Network
Kate Lawson the Fostering Network director of external affairs said: “The John Lewis Partnership has done so much to support foster care and provide opportunities for care experienced young people.
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5 Comments
sorted bySo yes great news, but I can't help thinking it was only last August JL did away with their "Never knowingly undersold" slogan, which to me set them apart. I'd also question how many employees this will apply too.
I still recognise this is a generous offer.