A greater number of foster carers are needed in the UK, as a result of more
children needing foster homes since the death of Baby P.
Some 53,934 children needed foster homes last year, up from 51,009 two
years before. As a result there is a shortage of an estimated 10,000 foster
families.
Many foster parents are now being asked to look after children with more
demanding behavioural needs. Usually, families get the chance to become
more practiced in looking after children before they are asked to take care
of children with extra problems, but this is no longer always the
case.
The Fostering Network has issued a report called 'bursting at the seams,'
which explains that there has been an 'unprecedented rise' in the number of
children that need fostering. It is now calling for the government to
invest in foster caring and provide incentives for people to become foster
carers.
Many foster parents find that NVQs in health and social care help to boost
their skills, which, in turn, can help them take on more challenging
children or teenagers. There is a shortage of homes for teenagers at the
moment, as younger children are given priority and the number of
under-fours needing foster homes has risen.
The Fostering Network says that the government needs to ensure that local
fostering services offer pay and allowances that enable them to attract and
retain the right kinds of people with the right level of skills.
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