Foster Care Fortnight Celebrates the Power of Relationships in Foster Care

Strategic Insights -

Foster Care Fortnight, running from May 12 to 25, is the UK's largest campaign to raise awareness of fostering, led by the national charity The Fostering Network. This year's theme, "The Power of Relationships," highlights the vital connections that shape lives, create stability, and open doors to brighter futures. The East Midlands region, led by Foster for East Midlands, is joining in to celebrate the relationships within the foster care community. With thousands of foster carers providing safe, loving, and supportive homes to children in need, the campaign aims to recognize and celebrate their dedication and raise awareness about the importance of fostering.

Key Takeaways:

  • Foster carers currently look after around three-quarters (3/4) of the 100,000+ children in care across the UK, providing them with stability, care, and support.
  • The foster care community is diverse, with foster carers from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, relationship status, or sexual orientation.
  • Relationships play a crucial role in fostering, connecting foster carers, children, families, and professionals to create a community that surrounds children with the care they need to thrive.
  • The East Midlands region, led by Foster for East Midlands, is working together to raise awareness and recruit more foster carers to join the community.
  • Foster for East Midlands is a regional fostering hub that brings together Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire to increase the number of foster carers and provide them with the support needed to thrive.
  • The "Fostering Moments" campaign highlights real stories of how relationships transform the lives of children and young people in care.
  • Foster carers, such as Kerry and Neil, Pat, Mavis, Sharnie and Zak, and Shelly and Lyn, share their personal stories of fostering, emphasizing the importance of love, stability, and support.

Statistics:

  • 75% of children in care in the UK are looked after by foster carers.
  • Over 100,000 children are in care across the UK.
  • The East Midlands region has thousands of foster carers providing support to children in need.
  • Every day, foster carers provide safe, loving, and supportive homes to children in care.

Sources:

  • The Fostering Network
  • Foster for East Midlands
  • Bolsover District Council
  • UK Government
  • City of Derby Council
  • Derbyshire County Council
  • Nottingham City Council
  • Nottinghamshire County Council