CYP Now - Government must wake up to foster care crisis

It is that familiar problem of rising demand and shrinking supply: large numbers of foster carers retire each year as the population of children in care continues to grow and grow.

So Action for Children's campaign this month to dispel public myths about fostering and widen the pool of carers is very welcome.

Under children's minister Edward Timpson, who was brought up with more than 80 fostered children, the government has sought to cut bureaucracy for carers, most notably in making it a requirement to delegate authority to carers over day-to-day decisions. But in the crucial area of recruitment, the response has been limp. Government investment is limited to just £750,000 to help a select number of local authorities and fostering services to explore fresh ways of recruiting and retaining carers.

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