Northern Ireland

Urgent need for hundreds of new foster carers as pressure on services increases

Children ‘increasingly likely to be placed in homes that do not meet their specific needs’ unless 300 new fostering households recruited

There are more than 2,800 children and young people living in foster care in NI
Children 'increasingly likely to be placed in homes that do not meet their specific needs' unless 300 new fostering households recruited
By Catherine McGinty

There is an “urgent need” to recruit foster carers across the north, according to charity The Fostering Network.

The organisation warned children were “increasingly likely to be placed in homes that do not meet their specific needs” unless 300 new fostering households were recruited.

Speaking following the launch of Foster Care Fortnight (May 13 to 26) in Stormont’s Long Gallery, Director for Northern Ireland at The Fostering Network, Kathleen Toner, said: “Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure all children in Northern Ireland are cared for in the right home for their needs. The increasing number of children entering the care system paired with declining social worker numbers means the system simply cannot cope.

She added: “This Foster Care Fortnight we are calling on the newly reinstated assembly government to ensure children’s needs are met by prioritising and investing in recruitment and retention of foster carers.

“Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity to show we value the fostering community but also need to highlight what needs to change in the future.

“Foster carers in Northern Ireland are extremely dedicated to supporting children and young people. It is vital we retain those we have, as well as recruit new foster carers.”

Ms Toner was speaking as the Children’s Social Care Statistics for Northern Ireland 2022 / 23 revealed over the last 10 years, the number of children in care in Northern Ireland has increased more rapidly compared to Britain.

Anyone who is considering fostering or would like to learn more about what it involves, can contact The Fostering Network at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/.