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UK Wedding News

08/01/2014

Thousands Of New Foster Families Needed

At least 8,600 new foster families are needed throughout the UK this year in order to provide for a safe home for fostered children, it has been revealed.

According to a report by the Fostering Network, almost 63,000 children are living with over 52,500 foster families across the UK. However, it added that more foster families are needed not only to replace the 12% who leave each year, but to ensure that children who come into foster care find carers who are right for them, have the skills and qualities they need, and are available now.

Teenagers, children with disabilities and sibling groups are said to be in particular need of a home as the figures show that around 38,000 of the young people in care in England are aged 10 or older, while more than 2,000 children with disabilities are currently in care because their parents were unable to fully support their needs at home.

In 20113, around 450 fostered sibling groups in England were separated, where the aim was for them to live together.

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Elsewhere, research by the Fostering Network last year found that in the previous two years, one in three foster carers had felt under pressure to take children – usually teenagers – who they were not trained or supported to look after. A further one in 10 felt pressurised to take in a child, again usually a teenager, when they felt they had no more capacity; while two in five had looked after children temporarily because the fostering service could not find a suitable long-term home.

Robert Tapsfield, Chief Executive of the Fostering Network, said: "Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional, dedicated and compassionate support. Foster carers are remarkable people who open their homes to some of society's most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

"Fostering services last year found over 7,200 new foster families in England alone, but recruitment remains an ongoing challenge. Fostering services across the UK need to attract a diverse range of foster carers who can meet the needs of children in care and who can offer as much choice as possible so that they can find the right home for each child, first time.

"We urgently need people who believe that they have the right skills and qualities to foster to come forward and make a long lasting positive difference to the life of a child. In particular, foster carers are needed to provide homes for teenagers and children with disabilities, and to help sibling groups stay together."

During 2014, it has been predicted that an additional 7,000 foster families will be needed in England, with a further 200 in Northern Ireland, 850 in Scotland and 550 in Wales.

(JP)

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"At least 8,600 new foster families are needed throughout the UK this year in order to provide for a safe home for fostered children, it has been revealed."