More new foster families needed

920 new foster families in the South East, according to leading charity The Fostering Network, need to be found in the coming year to ensure that all children who need fostering can live with the right family to meet their needs.

There is a particular need for families who can foster teenagers and groups of brothers and sisters.

The new figures, which have been published on the first day of The Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight (14-27 May), show that 8,100 families are needed across the UK (6,800 in England, 200 in Northern Ireland, 550 in Wales and 550 in Scotland).

More foster families means that a fostering service can match the needs of each child more closely with the skills and experience that each foster carer brings, allowing them to find the right home for each child, first time.

That is why, this Foster Care Fortnight, The Fostering Network is calling for people who think they might have the relevant skills and experience to come forward to find out more about fostering.

Looking after fostered children can be challenging. But it is that challenge, along with the reward of seeing these children and young people flourish, that many foster carers say makes them proud to foster.

Find out more at www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/couldyoufoster.

Kevin Williams The Fostering Network