Across the UK, hundreds of foster carers open their homes to provide love, stability, and care to children and young people in need. But many more foster carers are urgently needed to ensure every child can be matched with the right home for their individual needs.
In Devon, there are 271 approved foster homes but 810 children in need of care. Many children are placed with families outside the county, away from their communities, or in care homes so we need to find more loving homes within Devon.
The Council are seeing more people come forward this year, with more than 30 potential new carers currently in the approval process but they still need more – could you open your home to a child in need?
From 11-24 May, The Fostering Network is running its Foster Care Fortnight campaign – a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the incredible impact of foster care, and to encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers. It’s also a chance to say a big thank you to all foster carers for their remarkable dedication and call on the government for much needed change in the fostering sector.
This year’s theme ‘This is Fostering’ shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering, raising awareness of the profound impact foster carers have on children’s lives. It celebrates the skills, commitment and love they show, often in incredibly challenging circumstances.
Throughout Foster Care Fortnight voices from across the fostering community will be sharing stories that raise awareness of their daily experiences. For foster carers, this could be the small moments that matter – helping a child build trust, getting them ready for a new school or adjusting their approach each time a child arrives.
The aim is to show what fostering really involves – the skill, judgement and resilience it takes to provide safe, consistent care for children. By sharing these stories, we can raise awareness of what it truly takes to be a foster carer, and why it needs to be properly valued and supported.
How can you get involved?
You don’t need to be a foster carer to support Foster Care Fortnight. Follow The Fostering Network on social media, and help spread the word by liking and sharing their posts. The more people who hear about the life-changing impact of fostering, the greater the chance of finding more homes for children who need them.
Thinking about becoming a foster carer?
If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and want to make a difference to a child’s life, fostering could be for you. We offer excellent training and support to those wishing to open their homes to children in need across Devon. Did you know – foster carers receive financial support, as well as potential savings on Council Tax. Contact us to find out more, call 0345 155 1077 or visit www.fosteringdevon.gov.uk
Learn more about Foster Care Fortnight and how to become a foster carer at Foster Care Fortnight | The Fostering Network
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