Fostering Fortnight 2012 helps recruit many new foster carers

June 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Fostering Fortnight has helped attract many new foster carers for vulnerable children across the UK.

The event, which aims to raise awareness of the fact that many children out there are in need of foster carers, was nationwide and had the backing of some well-known celebrities; some who had experienced being fostered themselves as children.

Local authorities all over the country participated in activities that raised awareness of the importance of fostering with regards to how to it can change the life and future direction of a vulnerable child or young person considerably.

These activities have seen some great success although, more foster carers are always needed desperately all over the country.

For example, in Gloucestershire, there were 64 enquiries to the local authority’s foster care team following Fostering Fortnight; almost triple the amount they usually get in a month.  

There have been similar incidences all over the country.

However, the message is clear: more foster carers are needed and there are far more children currently in the system than there are foster carers for them. Fostering could not be more important in the life of a child who might not have had the best start to life. Children are fostered for many different reasons, some with the view that they will be adopted and others on a more short term basis.

These children all need to be in a secure, safe and loving environment until either other arrangements are made for their care, or they go back to their families.

With statistics recently being released that a child goes into care every six hours in areas like the North East, fostering agencies and local authorities are grateful for any awareness raised that generates an increase in applications to foster.

Blue Sky Fostering is one such agency – find out more about becoming a foster carer by going to http://www.blueskyfostering.com.


About Blue Sky Fostering

Blue Sky Fostering was established in 2005 to address the need for more foster carers in the south of England. Since then we have built a reputation for excellence providing extensive training and support throughout the challenges of being a professional foster carer. Working together with our foster carers we believe we can help every child reach their full potential regardless of their previous life experiences.

Based in Romsey, Hampshire, but operating across the south of England, Blue Sky Fostering supports over 90 foster carers, caring for over 100 children across the region. Blue Sky Fostering was rewarded an Outstanding rating by Ofsted in two consecutive reports in 2008 and 2011.

About Foster Care

Across England there are an estimated 64,000 children in the care system. Over 44,000 of these children and young people are in foster care. The majority are aged between 10 and 15. The need for foster carers is increasing each year with a shortfall of around 10,000 foster carers nationwide.

For more information about Blue Sky Fostering and the work we do please contact Katrina McDuff on katrina@blueskyfostering.co.uk or 01794 590003.