There are approximately 60,000 children and young people who are in the care of Local Authorities at any one time. The total number of children and young people who are looked after by the state in any year rises to approximately 300,000, and the numbers seem to be increasing each year.

Statistics suggest that around two thirds of children and young people who need looking after are placed in foster homes, with the majority of the other third living with families and friends or in residential provision.

National shortage of Foster carers

There is a national shortage of foster carers in the UK.

Up to 10,000 more foster carers are required to ensure that children and young people who need foster homes have an opportunity to benefit from living within a stable, safe and nurturing family environment. You don’t need to have any particular academic or vocational qualifications, but having experience of caring for or working with children or young people really helps.

We believe that taking care of children and young people who cannot live with their own families is a very special job. Making a positive difference in the life of a child or young person is wonderful and very rewarding, but it can also be very challenging and demanding.

Professional support services

Foster carers need to work in partnership with a range of people who are involved in the child or young person’s life, this often includes the birth parents, extended family members, Social workers, health workers, staff within education and a range of other professionals.

Fostering is a huge commitment. It will have an impact on you and your whole family. Therefore, it is vitally important to find out as much as you can and take time to discuss the possibility with all of your family so that you can make the right choice at the right time for the right reason.