It's time to treat foster carers as the professionals that they are
This blog, by our chief executive Kevin Williams, first appeared on Huffington Post on 25 August 2017.
Shaping the future in Northern Ireland
Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, outlines our role in shaping the proposed new children’s legislation in Northern Ireland and the merits of updating the law
Health Matters
Our recent Health Matters project in Scotland has been exploring issues relating to foster carers’ health
Response to article in Community Care - 'foster carers are professionals'
Responding to the article in Community Care Children’s services directors wary of moves to ‘professionalise’ foster carers, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: ‘To debate whether or not using the term professional would be appropriate for foster carers is a redundant argument.
Campaigns Blog July 2017
A sunny welcome to the latest news from the campaigns team at The Fostering Network.
Foster carers recognised in Queen's birthday honours
We would like to congratulate our members who were recognised for their fantastic contribution to fostering in the Queen’s birthday honours this June.
The following foster carers all received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) accolade for services to children and families:
- Edward Davenport
- Jean Davenport
- Sonia Evans
- Pauline Hill
- Roger Hill
- Ernest Lindley
- Christine Meadows
- Jacqueline Rowbottom
- Louise Walkiden
- Timothy Walkiden.
Silk
Our regular blogger Lucy Stevens wrote this poem after being inspired by one of her fostering service's foster carers who she says is doing amazing work
Little guests
Respite can be extremely positive for children and carers alike but the change in routine and environment can also be disruptive. In this blog Cathy Glass describes her experience of providing respite care, what she's learned and how much of an impact respite carers can make on the lives of children and young people.
A world of love, acceptance and joy - by Lydia Bright
Lydia Bright grew up in a fostering household and is now one of the stars of The Only Way is Essex. Here she shares why she is proud to be part of a fostering family.
The Fostering Network issues a call for under 35s to consider becoming foster carers
Leading fostering charity The Fostering Network is calling for more under 35s to consider becoming foster carers.
The call comes during the second week of Foster Care Fortnight, as part of the charity’s campaign to help recruit 7,000 new foster families across the UK in the coming year.
Less than five per cent of foster carers are under 35, despite this age group making up about 20 per cent of the UK’s population.
