Foster carers needed to look after record numbers of children in care

Despite an increase in the total number of fostering households during the last year, hundreds more are still needed as the number of children in care in Northern Ireland rose for a second year in a row, and is continuing to rise.

On any one day, there is now a record 1,950 children living with foster families in Northern Ireland, with hundreds more coming in and out of care throughout the year.

More foster families are needed to replace the 13 per cent of the workforce who retire or leave every year. These figures show the scale of the challenge facing fostering services as they struggle to provide the right foster homes for all the children who need them.

The charity is warning that, without these new families, too many children will fail to get the care they need. They will end up living with a foster carer who is a long way from the child’s home, school and family, or a carer who has space but may not be the right match.

This can put such a strain on relationships that they break down, meaning children are moved around time and time again, suffering even more disruption to their often already traumatic lives.

Margaret Kelly, director of the Fostering Network Northern Ireland, said: “Despite fostering services attracting more people to become foster carers, the continuing rise of children coming into care means hundreds more are still needed.

“These children need a stable family life to help them grow and achieve their potential. By becoming a foster carer people can help them have the best possible opportunity for a positive future, to do well at school and be successful in later life.

“Fostering services are looking for people from all walks of life to become foster carers, of all ages, and from single people to large families. What matters is that they have a desire to work with children and the right skills.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer people should contact their local fostering service. They can also visit www.couldyoufoster.org.uk or call 028 9070 5056.