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Improving foster carer recruitment

A nationwide shortage of foster carers was exacerbated by the pandemic but services are starting to see a surge in interest. Recruitment experts and local authorities discuss successful strategies.
It is important to carefully consider the tone of communication materials for prospective foster care recruits. Picture: Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock
It is important to carefully consider the tone of communication materials for prospective foster care recruits. Picture: Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock

The Covid-19 pandemic saw many local authorities and independent fostering agencies step up their efforts to recruit foster carers to provide stable homes for children.

Against the backdrop of an ongoing national shortage of foster carers, the crisis initially saw the number of people able to provide foster care placements shrink.

However, lockdown has made people re-evaluate their priorities, prompting a surge in interest.

More than 8,600 new foster families will be needed across the UK in 2021, according to charity The Fostering Network.

In the past few months its members have reported an increase in the number of people interested in becoming a foster carer.

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