Councils highlight ‘urgent need’ for more foster carers

UK councils are calling for more residents to become foster carers, as the annual awareness campaign Foster Care Fortnight (9-22 May) takes place.

The Fostering Network, who leads the campaign, is calling for more foster families, since children are often having to be placed outside of their communities and away from siblings due to a foster carer shortage.  

Both Southampton City Council and Bristol City Council have highlighted the issue, as the number of children needing to go into care is on the rise.

Research by Ofsted in November 2021 found that the number of fostering households and foster carers in England had risen by 2% and 4% since 2014 to 2015 respectively.

The number of children in care also grew by 11% in 2020, leading Ofsted to conclude that despite the number of foster carers being at their highest ever levels, this was still not meeting demand.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, says: ‘We urgently need more foster carers to come forward to care for children within their local communities. Foster carers are the bedrock of children’s social care; they are vital in our society and our young people rely on their care, dedication, passion and skills to support them when they need it most.

‘If you have ever considered fostering, now is the time to get in touch with your local fostering service and find out more. The fostering community is open to people from all walks of life and backgrounds: you can become a foster carer no matter your age, gender, relationship status or sexual orientation.’

In Southampton, over 400 children are living in foster care, with more than half forced to live outside of the city.

The local authority has asked people to urgently join the fostering community there and has said people can foster for as little as a weekend or for a whole childhood.

Similarly, only half of children in foster care are living in Bristol, with many placed outside of the city which can cause stress and loneliness for children.

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Children’s Services, Education and Equalities, said: ‘Bristol’s Fostering Community is special. To us, fostering a child isn’t just about placing them in your home and leaving you to it. It’s about supporting you and making sure that your commitment doesn’t get overlooked.’

Bristol City Council has recently increased the money current and new foster carers will receive to support the child in their care to £458 a week.

Photo by BBC Creative