News

Children and young people can come into care at any age, from birth up to the age of 18. While there can be a variety of reasons why a child may need to be looked after, there is one thing all of them need; a stable, loving home for them to continue to grow up.

Thurrock is home to amazing foster carers, and thanks to their care, they have helped to ensure some of the borough’s most vulnerable children are set up to live happy, healthy lives.

As the May half-term approaches, there is a fantastic range of family activities in Thurrock to keep people entertained.

While school children have the week off school, there are opportunities to get creative with arts and crafts, get active and outdoors, or enjoy some theatrical entertainment.

Celebrate Elmer Day at Thurrock's libraries

Get ready to celebrate the most colourful day of the year as libraries across Thurrock host a range of exciting activities for Elmer Day on Saturday 24 May.

Thurrock Council is encouraging more people to consider becoming foster carers this Foster Care Fortnight. 

Over the next week, Thurrock Council will be out and about across Thurrock and Essex to raise awareness of the life-changing impact fostering can have.  

To kick off the start of Foster Care Fortnight on Monday 12 May, Councillor Vikki Harstean, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, joined a fostering information pop-up stall at C2C Chafford Hundred Station.  

Thurrock Council has written to the Trustees of Belmont village hall in Grays, requesting that they step down from managing the hall and return it to the council in the next two weeks.

This action follows months of attempts to negotiate with the trustees and arrange mediation with a local Scout group that has been prevented from using the hall by the trustees. Unfortunately the trustees have failed to engage with the council.

The work of the National Investigation Service (Natis) will move from Thurrock Council to the Insolvency Service this summer, in plans to be announced by the Business and Trade Minister Gareth Thomas on Thursday 15 May.

When it comes to fostering, no one placement is the same. It is understandable for people to look at fostering as providing long-term care for a particular child, and while that may be true for many cases there are plenty of circumstances where foster parents provide care for a number of weeks, days or even hours. 

This type of short-term care relief is often known as respite care. 

For the past five years Shirley has been one of the foster carers helping to provide respite care for children in Thurrock. 

When it comes to mental wellbeing, no one should feel like they have to face their struggles alone. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're supporting the theme of community by sharing some of the organisations and local services that offer support and a helping hand with mental health. 

Mind Wellbeing Group 

If you're looking for a safe, welcoming space to talk, connect with other people in the community, the Mind Wellbeing Group could be just what you need. 

Thurrock Council has launched a new consultation on proposals that could help ensure better quality private rented homes across the borough. 

The Selective Licensing Scheme means landlords will offer higher standard and better maintained homes. They would also have to take action to tackle nuisance neighbours and address reports of anti-social behaviour. 

Hundreds of people were in attendance for special memorial events yesterday (Thursday 8 May) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. 

The commemorations started with a flag raising at the Town Hall in Grays. This was followed by a service at the Grays War Memorial, organised by Grays Royal British Legion, before a two-minute silence was held at 11am.  

Tilbury Royal British Legion held their service at the Tilbury Memorial.  

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has officially sanctioned Sean Clark, Thurrock Council’s former Director of Finance and S151 Officer, in relation to his role in the council’s failed investment scheme.

The FRC launched its investigation in January 2024 and issued its findings on Thursday 8 May.

Mr Clark has been excluded as a Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for a recommended period of 5 years and been issued a Severe Reprimand by the FRC.