Contribution of foster families highlighted during coronavirus

Published: 11 May 2020

Every day 55,000 foster families across the UK are giving 65,000 fostered children and young people a loving, secure and stable home, and this commitment from foster families is ongoing during the coronavirus outbreak.

The UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, is using this year’s Foster Care Fortnight^TM to raise awareness of the extraordinary dedication and work of foster carers at this time, while calling for more people to come forward to foster.

The charity’s campaign to raise the profile of foster carers and the vital role they play in society is the largest of its kind in the UK and runs from 11th – 24th May.

Every year thousands more foster carers are needed across the UK to make sure fostered children can live with the right foster carer for them. Despite the coronavirus, this year is no different, so anyone who thinks they might have the skills and experience to become a foster carer is urged to contact their local fostering service.

Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

Foster carers support children and young people’s education, health, and social wellbeing, and also help to maintain the children’s relationship with the people who are important to them but who they cannot currently see in person.  They accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of a global crisis that has affected every one of us and impacted all aspects of our society. Despite the practical and emotional challenges that the coronavirus is bringing, foster carers continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who can’t live with their birth families.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:

Foster care transforms the lives of children and young people as well as those of the foster carers and their families. This has never been more important. Foster carers help children and young people flourish and fulfil their potential, as well as provide a vital service to our society. Because this happens mainly in the privacy of their own homes – especially at the moment – their contributions too often go unnoticed. Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of foster carers and their families as well as recognising how transformational foster care can be for the children and young people who need it.

To find out how you can support Foster Care Fortnight visit The Fostering Network.

For information about becoming a foster carer for Derby please contact fostering@derby.gov.uk.

• The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity. We are the essential network for fostering, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children. We champion fostering and seek to create vital change so that foster care is the very best it can be.
• Foster Care Fortnight™ is The Fostering Network’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and to show how foster care transforms lives. It is also the UK’s biggest foster carer recruitment campaign. Foster Care Fortnight 2020 will take place from Monday 11 to Sunday 24 May.
• For more statistics relating to fostering visit The Fostering Network 's statistics page.

Children, Health, Public safety, Young people