Celebrating the Power of Relationships in Fostering

Strategic Insights -

The UK's largest campaign to raise awareness of fostering, led by The Fostering Network, is celebrating its theme, The Power of Relationships, during Foster Care Fortnight. This year's campaign highlights the vital connections that shape lives and create stability for children and young people in care. Nottingham City Council, the UK Government, and Foster for East Midlands are joining forces to promote the importance of relationships in fostering and to increase the number of foster carers across the East Midlands.

Key Takeaways:

  • The theme of this year's Foster Care Fortnight, The Power of Relationships, emphasizes the deep bonds between foster carers and children, social workers, and birth families.
  • Foster carers play a crucial role in shaping the lives of children and young people in care, providing safe, loving, and supportive homes.
  • The fostering community is made up of people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, relationship status, or sexual orientation.
  • Foster for East Midlands, a regional fostering hub, aims to increase the number of foster carers across the region and ensure they have the support needed to thrive in their roles.
  • Foster carers currently look after around three-quarters of the 100,000+ children in care across the UK.
  • Relationships within fostering communities, friendships, and connections with birth families create stability and open doors to brighter futures for children and young people in care.
  • Fostering Moments from various foster carers in the East Midlands showcase the transformative power of relationships in fostering, highlighting the life-changing difference foster carers make.

Statistics:

  • 100,000+ children are in care across the UK.
  • Foster carers currently look after around three-quarters of the children in care.
  • 36 years of fostering experience from Pat, a Derby City foster carer, who has welcomed countless children into their home, offering love and stability.
  • 100 children have been cared for by Shelly and Lyn, Nottinghamshire foster carers, who have made memories that show love and have been called "grandparents" by some of the children in their care.

Sources:

  • "Nottingham City Council"
  • "UK Government"
  • "The Fostering Network"