Foster Carer Forum
Representing foster carers from independent fostering agencies across the UK
Foster carers are at the forefront of ensuring that some of the UK’s most vulnerable children - children in care - receive the love, family support and stability they need and deserve.
Without foster carers, more vulnerable children would be denied the care they need. We love what we do and are deeply committed to the children in our care. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue this work. We feel that the complexity and responsibility of the role of foster carers from independent fostering agencies (IFAs) is not fully understood. Greater awareness is also needed of the vital role we play, and the challenges we face in supporting children with complex needs.
That is why we have come together as the Foster Carer Forum: to raise awareness of the role that foster carers from IFAs play in shaping the lives of so many remarkable young people, and to ensure that foster carers’ voices are heard in discussions about the future of the fostering system. We want to work constructively with government and sector partners to ensure that foster carers are supported to continue providing stable, loving homes for children who need them most.
The Foster Carer Forum welcomes the Government’s commitment to reform the foster care sector and supports the introduction of the recently published Renewing fostering, homes for 10,000 more children policy paper. This represents an important opportunity to strengthen the fostering system and ensure that more children can grow up in stable, nurturing environments.
We are committed to working with government and sector partners to deliver these reforms. However, the fostering system cannot function without a stable, respected and well-supported IFA sector. In order to achieve this, the following priorities must be addressed:
- A reformed, proportionate allegations process that protects children while supporting foster carers
- Consistent, transparent commissioning that prioritises children’s needs over internal capacity
- Improved access to therapeutic support for children with complex needs
- Recognition of IFAs as equal partners in delivering high-quality, stable foster care
If you are an IFA foster carer and would like to get involved in the Forum, please contact: [email protected]
If you would like to reach out to your local MP to discuss the role IFAs play in supporting the Government to improve outcomes for vulnerable children in your constituency, please click here on the MP outreach letter link on this page.
Ruth, who fosters with National Fostering Agency, and NAFP's Executive Chair, Harvey Gallagher, meet with Esther McVey MP
