Urgent appeal to find 50 more foster carers in Bristol

At the same time, the demand for foster carers is continuing to rise. In Bristol, there are more than 750 children and young people in care but only 353 households foster with Bristol City Council. This means the local authority needs to place around 40 per cent of children with private fostering agencies or in children’s homes, which can lead to sibling groups being separated and children living outside the city, away from everything they know: their communities, schools and friends.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “We’re calling on our residents to help make a difference to the children in care who need a home in Bristol.

“The community spirit in our city is unbelievable and I am confident enough people will come forward to offer a caring, loving home. This is what happened during the pandemic when an extra 24 households were approved as short-term foster carers following our emergency appeal. We need people to step up again as we’re at crisis point. Our current foster carers are doing an incredible job but, put simply, there aren’t enough of them.

“Sadly, we are not the only local authority facing a critical shortage of foster carers. It’s a national trend, which could be exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. That’s why we’re offering a welcome grant of £500 to every new foster carer along with their weekly allowance and other benefits.

“Unlike fostering agencies, that are run for a profit, all our funding is spent on supporting local children through difficult times, to place them in homes where they can thrive.

“If you have space in your home and in your life for a child who desperately needs you, please contact us to find out more about becoming one of our amazing foster carers.”

The council is keen to recruit all types of foster carers – from short to long term as well as those who can offer weekends and short breaks.

Foster carers come from every sector of society, income level, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and religion.

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor of Bristol with responsibility for Children’s Services, said: “The children in our care deserve a safe and secure home where they can be loved and supported as they grow up.

“You don’t need any specific qualifications to become a foster carer, but it helps if you already have experience with children or caring for people – whether that’s with your own family, childminding, or having worked in a caring profession.

“All our foster carers get one-to-one support from a dedicated social worker, as well as training and skills opportunities, and a range of other benefits.

“What’s more, when you foster with us, you become part of a wider fostering family through Bristol Foster Carers Association, which links you up to other local foster carers and looked after children.

“Our foster carers tell us that, despite the challenges, fostering is the most rewarding thing they’ve done. If you’ve been thinking about opening up your home to a child who needs stability, love and support, now is the time to act.”

Foster carer, Alex Kear

Alex Kear, a bus driver with First Bus, has been fostering with his husband for 11 years. In that time, they have fostered five children.

Alex said: “The best bit about fostering is seeing children having fun, being relaxed and able to enjoy life which was difficult when living at home. It’s a joy to be able to see them progressing at school and achieving good results and making new friends in the fostering community.

“The advice I would give to people considering fostering is to do it. It can be very rewarding to see the children you look after turning difficult corners in their lives that you have supported them through.”

Children across Bristol need families now. It’s a lot to consider, which is why the council recommends contacting the fostering service first for an information pack and an informal chat.

To find out more go to www.bristol.gov.uk/foster or call Fostering Bristol on 0117 353 4200.