Launched in October, this national fostering campaign represents the most significant national effort in England in recent years to recruit and support foster carers. The objectives of the campaign are to ensure more children grow up in stable, loving homes, reduce reliance on costly residential care, and improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable children.
The government wants to create 10,000 new foster care places, responding to the 12% decline in foster carers since 2019, and increased number of children entering care. It has pledged to modernise fostering rules to widen eligibility, and strengthen support for existing carers through clearer guidance, relationship-focused rulebook, home improvement assistance, and regional fostering hubs. £88m is being provided for fostering reforms to support foster carers and frontline services, plus £12.4m for a Fostering innovation Fund. You can read more on the national fostering campaign website.
Gloucestershire County Council welcomes this national focus on the need for people to come forward to care for local children in Gloucestershire who are unable to remain in their homes. We're already working hard to remove barriers to foster and to tell the stories of our foster carers.
If you’re thinking about fostering, we understand that you may have a mix of emotions, a list of questions, and maybe even a few reservations. Your fostering journey with us starts with a conversation.
We recommend you take a quick look at our 5 Steps to Fostering page and then see what questions you have afterwards. There's no such thing as a silly question and we look forward to speaking with you!
