Rising racism and extremist sentiment

The Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers (NAFP) is deeply concerned about the growing impact of racism, extremism, far-right sentiment and politicised displays in communities across the UK. These developments are having tangible effects on foster carers, all the children in their household and the professionals who support them.

Foster care relies on compassion, understanding and safety. However, rising hostility toward immigrants and the normalisation of discriminatory views threaten these core values. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to racism and exclusion. As a consequence, they may be more susceptible to radicalisation. If vulnerable children lack support, they can become targets for grooming. Children and young people must be cared for in homes and communities where they feel safe, respected and valued.

In recent months, fostering services have reported increasing challenges, including incidents of racial hate directed towards foster carers from diverse ethnicities and the children in their care. There is also discomfort among staff and foster carers arising from politically charged or exclusionary displays, such as the use of flags, in ways that deliberately alienate or intimidate others.

These issues are compounded by a lack of clear guidance and leadership at the most senior levels on how organisations should respond. NAFP calls on all fostering services, local authorities, inspectorates, local and national government to take decisive action to address these concerns. This includes:

• Providing clear leadership and guidance on how fostering services should respond to racist discrimination which will cause harm and exclusion to foster carers and the vulnerable children in their care
• Creating safe spaces for children, foster carers and social workers to share concerns and experiences without fear of judgment or reprisal
• Embedding ongoing dialogue and education about  anti-racism and inclusion within all organisations - not as one-off training, but as a sustained cultural commitment
• Reviewing organisational policies, foster carer agreements and statements of purpose to ensure they explicitly address racism, discrimination and the impact of political or cultural symbolism in care settings
• Encouraging practitioners to spend time with children individually, asking open and curious questions about their lived experiences and any worries they may have
• Supporting staff confidence in challenging harmful language, attitudes or behaviour, both within fostering teams and among foster carers

NAFP emphasises that creating a culture of safety and respect must remain at the heart of fostering. Every child has the right to feel protected from racism and prejudice, and every foster carer and social worker deserves to work in an environment where their well-being is supported.

We urge fostering services to continue collective discussions on how to support children, foster carers and colleagues when issues arise, and to strengthen the sector’s ability to respond effectively to the evolving social and political climate. By fostering open dialogue, education and leadership, we will ensure that our shared mission - protecting and empowering vulnerable children - remains at the centre of all that we do.

NAFP reiterates its commitment to working collaboratively with fostering services, local authorities and national government to build an anti-racist, inclusive and safe fostering environment for all. NAFP will continue to facilitate professional dialogue, share resources and provide training opportunities to help us all embed these commitments into daily practice. Together, we can ensure that fostering remains a space of protection, belonging and hope for every child.