A woman who entered foster care at 14 says the experience saved her life, providing the stability and love she needed to build a future. Amy Burns, now 26, spoke at the launch of a government initiative designed to recruit 10,000 more foster carers, addressing a decline in numbers while the demand for children needing care continues to rise.
"Fostering definitely saved my life. If I wasn't fostered I don't know who I'd have ended up with," Burns stated at the Downing Street event. She described a difficult family situation that led her into care at 14. Without the support of her foster parents, she believes her life would have taken a different path, preventing her from attending university and pursuing a career in media.
The number of foster carers has fallen by 12% since 2021, according to data, while the number of children requiring care is increasing. In areas like Bristol and Somerset, the number of children in care has risen by 35% over the past seven years. Experts suggest that foster care generally leads to better outcomes for children, but a shortage of carers means more young people are being placed in residential children's homes.
The government's campaign includes efforts to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds and promote more flexible fostering arrangements. Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister noted that more people, including those in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, might now be able to consider fostering, even on a part-time basis. The initiative is supported by £88 million in new funding and aims to clarify guidelines for potential carers.
Wes, a single parent from South Gloucestershire who has fostered and adopted children for 14 years, is also backing the recruitment drive. He believes many individuals disqualify themselves from fostering before fully understanding the process and its potential rewards. "Yes, there is trauma, and yes, sometimes I have to talk about the past, but to me it's all about the day that you're in and what's coming forward, that child knows that they're going to be safe and happy in my care," Wes said.
Local authorities are also actively involved in recruitment. Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, highlighted the practical and financial implications of the foster carer shortage. His council is part of the South West Fostering Hub, established two years ago to enhance recruitment and support for foster carers. Hubbard pointed out that a lack of foster homes leads to more children being placed in residential care, which is considerably more expensive, with annual costs reaching £318,000 per child. "Every foster carer we recruit not only makes a massive difference to a young person's life, but also actually saves a considerable amount of money," he stated.