Urgent Appeal for Foster Carers in Plymouth Amidst Record Numbers of Children in Care

Strategic Insights -

With 534 children in care in Plymouth needing a safe and loving environment, Plymouth City Council is making a passionate appeal for more people to consider becoming foster carers. Foster Care Fortnight (12-25 May) shines a spotlight on the benefits of fostering, with Foster for Plymouth, the Council's not-for-profit fostering service, urging residents to come forward and help children live locally.

Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, highlighted the importance of fostering, stating, "Foster Care Fortnight gives us a fantastic opportunity to thank and celebrate all our foster carers for all the hard work they do supporting children and young people. If fostering is something you're at all interested in, I would really encourage you to reach out to our fantastic team to ask any questions or visit our website to find out more about what's involved."

Key Takeaways:

  • There are currently 534 children in care in Plymouth needing a safe and loving environment.
  • Plymouth City Council has 119 fostering households and 32 kinship carers, but is urgently seeking more.
  • To become a foster carer, one must be over 21, have a spare room, and be genuinely invested in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.
  • Different types of fostering include time-limited, permanent, emergency, respite, and parent and child fostering, each suiting different lifestyles.
  • Foster for Plymouth offers generous financial allowances, including weekly payments of £350 to £779 per child, and additional payments for birthdays, holidays, and other special events.
  • Foster carers receive a 50% Council Tax discount or full exemption, applying even outside of Plymouth City Council boundaries.
  • A comprehensive package of practical and emotional support is provided, including in-depth training, peer support, and regular social events.

Statistics:

  • 534: The number of children in care in Plymouth
  • 119: The number of fostering households in Plymouth
  • 32: The number of kinship carers in Plymouth
  • 21: The minimum age to become a foster carer
  • £350-£779: The weekly payments for foster carers, depending on the child's age and individual needs
  • 50%: The Council Tax discount or full exemption for foster carers

Sources:

  • Plymouth City Council
  • Foster for Plymouth
  • BBC News
  • Plymouth Herald
  • Citizens Advice Plymouth