Foster carer demand shows slight fall

The Fostering Network says 8,600 new foster families will be needed across the UK this year to meet the anticipated demand in the number of children to be fostered.

The recruitment target is a slight reduction on the 9,000 new foster families needed in 2013, something the Fostering Network puts down to there being a slightly smaller rise in the number of children who will be assessed as requiring foster care.

The research also reveals a particular demand for foster families to care for teenagers, children with disabilities and siblings.

Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the charity, is urging potential foster families to register their interest.

He said: “Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional, dedicated and compassionate support.

“We urgently need people who believe that they have the right skills and qualities to come forward and make a long-lasting positive difference to the life of a child.

“We also need to see fostering services working together better to make good use of the existing foster carer workforce – we know that there are some foster carers willing and able to offer a stable and secure home to children who currently have vacancies.”

The call for action has been backed by David Simmonds, chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) children and young people board, and Andrew Webb, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).

Simmonds said: “The care system is already struggling to find enough loving homes for our most vulnerable children and we desperately need more foster carers.

“Councils up and down the country have been working hard to raise awareness of the pressing need for foster carers and to recruit families to this very special role.

“We would urge anyone thinking about taking that first step to pick up the phone or visit their local council website and find out more about what the role involves.”

Webb added: “Foster care is at the heart of our care system and, when done well, can change a child’s life.

“The number of children coming into care continues to increase, and the reality of their family lives seems ever more complex so our need for foster carers continues to grow.”

There are currently 63,000 children living with foster families across the UK – 38,000 of whom are aged 10 or older, while 2,000 disabled children are in care because their parents are unable to support their needs at home. The research reveals that 450 sibling groups were separated during the fostering process, where the aim was to keep them together.