Over the last few months, we asked our members to share their views on the final report of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in England. They did so through our care review survey, at focus groups and in forum meetings. 

Daisy Elliott, research and evidence manager at The Fostering Network, focuses on one of the biggest challenges currently facing the foster care sector – the retention and recruitment of foster carers. Daisy shares details of research we are doing on this issue and how foster carers and fostering services can get involved.

By Jacqui Shurlock and Vicki Swain, Joint Head of Policy and Campaigns  

Over the last few months, we asked you to share your views on the final report of the independent review of children’s social care in England. You did so through our care review survey, at focus groups and in forum meetings.  

In this blog, we will explore the areas you said were missing from the review. We are urging the Minister to address these gaps, so the response to the care review really can transform children’s social care.   

Darren from Canterbury, Kent, has been fostering with his husband for 10 years now. Darren shares how being a disabled foster carer, living with the condition multiple sclerosis, has enriched his fostering experience. 

By Jacqui Shurlock and Vicki Swain, Joint Head of Policy and Campaigns 

Over the last few months, we asked you to share your views on the final report of the independent review of children’s social care in England. You did so through our care review survey, at focus groups and in forum meetings. Thank you to everyone who got involved! 

In this blog, we will tell you how we will be using your feedback. We are also looking at the recommendations you think would do most to improve outcomes for children and young people. The blog features the views of the 665 foster carers who responded to our survey or attended our forums and consultation events. 

At the age of 12 he suggested fostering to his parents, at the age of 18 he fought his first mixed martial arts fight, now, aged 26, he has embarked on a professional fighting career and dreams of fostering and opening a children’s home. Meet Luke ‘the Gent’ Trainer.

I believe that every care experienced person applying to university should tick the box. We’re all just trying to succeed in a world that expects us to fail; and I absolutely would have, had it not been for the support my university gave me when I needed it most.