Respect & Fairness
Black History Month and Fostering: Why It Matters for Children and Young People
For foster parents, Black History Month can open valuable conversations about heritage, identity and belonging – whether the child you care for is Black, mixed heritage or from another background.
Every October, Black History Month is marked across the UK – celebrating Black history, heritage, culture and the contributions Black people have made, and continue to make, to life in Britain.
For children and young people, it can also be an important opportunity to explore identity, discover stories they may not encounter elsewhere and see people who look like them represented in history, culture, and everyday life.
Why Does Black History Month Matter in Fostering?
Identity and belonging matter for every child.
For children in foster care, questions such as Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I belong? carry additional significance.
A foster parent’s role isn’t to have every answer. It is to be curious, willing to learn and ready to create space for conversations about a child’s identity.
For a Black or mixed-heritage child living with foster parents from a different ethnic background, this can be significant. Supporting their identity might include learning how to care for their hair and skin, finding books and toys that reflect them, understanding their cultural or family traditions, connecting them with positive role models and ensuring they have opportunities to be part of communities where they feel represented.
Small, everyday actions can send an important message: who you are matters here.
What Is the History of Black History Month?
The roots of Black History Month can be traced to the United States and historian Carter G. Woodson, who established Negro History Week in 1926 to increase recognition and understanding of Black history.
The idea developed over subsequent decades, with Black History Month formally recognised in the United States in 1976.
Here in the UK, Black History Month was first formally marked in 1987. Akyaaba Addai-Sebo was one of the key figures behind its establishment, with the first official observance taking place in London.
Unlike the US, where Black History Month takes place in February, the UK marks it during October.
Today, schools, communities and organisations across the country use the month to celebrate Black history and culture and explore the experiences and contributions of Black people in Britain and around the world.
Starting Conversations at Home
You don’t need to be an expert in Black history to explore it with a child.
In fact, learning together can be a great place to start.
You could ask what they’re learning about at school, discover an important Black historical figure together, visit a museum or exhibition, watch a programme, listen to music, cook something new or simply find books featuring Black children and families.
Try following the child’s interests, too. A football fan might want to discover the stories of Black sporting pioneers. A budding musician could explore influential Black British artists. A child who loves science might be inspired by Black scientists, inventors and doctors.
And remember that conversations about identity don’t have to begin and end in October.
Their Story, Their Way
At Compass, we believe children and young people should have opportunities to explore and express who they are in ways that feel right for them.
That might be through talking, drawing, writing, music, photography, poetry, storytelling or something completely different.
For Black History Month, we’re encouraging children and young people across Compass to explore the people, stories, experiences and moments in Black history that mean something to them – their story, their way.
It could be someone they admire. A piece of history they think more people should know about. Something from their own culture or heritage. Or simply a story that made them stop and think.
Because Black History Month isn’t only about looking back.
It’s also about helping the next generation understand the stories that came before them, celebrate who they are today and recognise that their own voices and experiences matter too.
Black History Month Resources for Children and Foster Parents
- BBC Newsround has child-friendly articles and videos exploring Black history and significant people and events.
- TheBlackCurriculum provides educational resources designed to help children and young people discover Black British history.
- BBC and CBBC offer programmes, videos and educational content exploring Black British history, identity and culture.
- BookTrust has recommendations for children’s books celebrating Black history, characters, authors and illustrators.
- Black History Month UK provides information, features and events taking place across the country.
Most importantly, keep exploring beyond October. Black history is part of British history, and celebrating culture, identity and belonging should be something children experience throughout the year.
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