The launch of a new, not-for-profit, organisation called Now Foster is aimed at encouraging a new generation of foster carers to come forward. The focus will be on people who have not previously considered becoming foster carers, and those who now have the time and resources to make a difference to the lives of young people in their care.
There are around 100,000 children in care in the UK, and figures show that the number increased by 14% from 2014 to 2020. According to Now Foster, one hundred children are taken into care every day, and with the current the shortage of carers this means that there will be a deficit of 25,000 carers to look after them by the year 2026. The lack of foster carers means that too many children have to be placed in children’s homes, with up to 20,000 of those in care being separated from their siblings. Statistics show that care leavers account for a quarter of the homeless population, and that 25% to 50% of those in prison have previously been in care at some time. Addressing the House of Commons education select committee in May 2022, the then Children and Families Minister, Will Quince, admitted that: “too many vulnerable children have been let down by the system……for too long children’s social care has not received the focus it so desperately needs and deserves.”
Now Foster wants to identify potential carers who may have thought themselves too old or too young, too busy with their career and family life, or were simply unaware of what they could do to help disadvantaged children. The organisation wants to seek out committed people who have accumulated the necessary “skills, experiences and networks to enrich and improve the lives of those children. We are looking for people who haven’t before heard about how much joy a foster child can add to their lives.” With many people opting to take early retirement following the covid outbreak and the lifestyle changes it encouraged there is a large pool of potential foster carers whose families have left home and who have the time and experience to help give children a stable and loving home environment.
Referencing the Ukraine war, Now Foster said: “shocked families across the country…..gathered together and had serious discussions about whether they could host a Ukrainian family. Hundreds of thousands volunteered themselves. Our goal is to harness this incredible generosity of spirit to tackle the challenges of our own children.”
For further information go to: Now Foster and The country needs a new generation of foster carers
The Children Law department at Bretherton Law have been helping families in Hertfordshire for over 50 years, offering professional, experienced and sympathetic advice to those in need when social services are concerned about their family. We are proud to be accredited by the Law Society in Children Law, and are members of Resolution, the organisation representing family lawyers and other professionals in the field. Contact us on 01727 869293, or use the contact form on this page.
