'Significant demand' for foster carers says Herefordshire council's cabinet member for children's services
The Fostering Network charity estimated in November 2024 that a further 6,500 fostering families were needed in England to ensure all fostered children can live with the right family for them
Herefordshire Council say it is supporting a national call for there to be more foster carers across the county.
The Fostering Network charity estimated in November 2024 that a further 6,500 fostering families were needed in England to ensure all fostered children can live with the right family for them.
A foster care fortnight organised by the fostering charity took place earlier this month from the 12-25 May and aimed to show the impact the care can have on people.
'Significant demand'
Councillor Ivan Powell is Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for children's services, he says these settings can be vital for those who need it.
He said: “Foster caring in Herefordshire and indeed nationally is a really vital part of looking after children who, for a range of reasons, aren't able to be looked after in their own home.
“In Herefordshire we have over 130 fostering households looking after around about 340 children, so locally, there is significant demand.
“It is a challenge because nationally we've seen numbers of local authority foster carers dropping by 15% since 2020, but we are happy to say that we are bucking that national trend locally.”
'Foster caring important on more than one level'
Jayne Limb from Ledbury started her training to be a foster carer in the county eight years ago and has been carrying out the role since.
She says having foster carers in place is vital and it is important to highlight the positive impact those care settings can have.
“It's important on more than one level, not only do we have a massive need for loving care and stable family homes for young people, it's also what that can bring to you as a human being,” she said.
“I get really passionate about what I do, it's just the difference that you can make to a young person that is good for you and it's good for them, that's the importance of fostering.
“You are always going to be a permanent fixture in their life and they're always going to come back to the place where they felt the safest, and that for me is a reflection of that relationship, that trust that you build with these young people.”
This year’s theme for the foster care fortnight was the power of relationships, aimed to highlight the connections between those needing foster care and their carers.