Published today, The Age of Foster Care coincides with the launch of Foster Care Fortnight. It shows that 65 per cent of foster carers are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. The figures suggest that the majority of the workforce will have the option to retire in 10 or 15 years time.
The Fostering Network claims there is already a shortage of 10,000 foster families in the UK. Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network believes this shortage will dramatically increase unless recruitment of foster carers is stepped up sharply.
"In order to avert the impending crisis, it's important that we attract people of all ages," he said. "Older people can bring experience and skills from previous jobs, but it's essential we also appeal to the untapped pool of those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who are particularly well placed to offer long-term care to younger children."
The network is using Foster Care Fortnight as an opportunity to remind all foster care service providers to calculate the potential impact of forthcoming retirements and review current recruitment techniques.
It will also be calling on the government to introduce regulation and funding to make foster care a more viable career option.
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