Shortfall of foster carers hits crisis point

A shortfall of foster carers has hit a crisis point according children’s charity Barnardos.

The charity is now calling on the Government to step in and help encourage potential foster parents to come forward and fill the national shortage now totalling 10,000.

Since the horror baby Peter case was revealed, public awareness of child abuse has increased and applications for children to be taken into care has risen but there are not enough carers to take children in.

Director of fostering and adoption at Barnardo’s, Jonathan Ewen said: “Barnardo’s works very closely with its carers to identify the type of child best suited to them and their families and short break carers are also in high demand. Short break care entails opening up your home for as little as a few weekends a year.

Yes fostering can be challenging, the same as any job, but the rewards are immeasurable – you are helping to turn children’s lives around. I want to urge people to contact Barnardo’s and find out more about fostering.”

To find out more about fostering, visit:  www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringandadoption