Hartlepool is to take part in an expansion of a regional fostering hub aiming to provide better outcomes for children and boost recruitment and retention of carers. A Hartlepool Borough Council panel has approved the local authority's participation in the Foster with North East expansion in line with Department for Education guidance. This will build on an existing pathfinder, which has been in operation since 2023 involving all 12 councils in the region, and introduce an end-to-end model encompassing all aspects of the fostering process. Council officers said the decision will support improved recruitment and retention of foster carers, better placement stability and better outcomes for children whilst also delivering greater efficiency and value for money. Hartlepool borough councillor Brenda Harrison has supported plans to expand a regional fostering service. The expansion aims to provide better outcomes for children and boost recruitment and retention of carers. The Foster with North East expansion will introduce an end-to-end model encompassing all aspects of the fostering process. The decision will support improved recruitment and retention of foster carers, better placement stability and better outcomes for children. The expansion will also deliver greater efficiency and value for money. The local authority's participation in the Foster with North East expansion is in line with Department for Education guidance. The existing pathfinder has been in operation since 2023 involving all 12 councils in the region.