Blogs

By Jacqui Shurlock and Vicki Swain, joint head of policy and campaigns. 

Following the publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in England in May 2022, the Government published yesterday their strategy for the reform of children’s social care: Stable Homes, Built on Love.  

The headlines were covered by the press yesterday and you can see The Fostering Network’s press notice here. This blog outlines our initial thoughts in more detail. 

By Vicki-tfn on February 3rd, 2023

By Jacqui Shurlock and Vicki Swain – joint head of policy and campaigns 

Last year 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.   

We have produced a series of blogs which summarise your feedback, with this final blog focusing on allegations. This was an area you felt was missing from the independent review and with such importance, we felt it deserved a blog of its own.  

This piece features the views of the 665 foster carers who responded to our survey or attended our forums and consultation events. It also includes feedback from our State of the Nation 2021 survey of 3,352 foster carers. 

By Vicki-tfn on January 13th, 2023

Ettie is 30 years old and runs her own business: a children’s clothing line called Wexbaby. For Ettie, it is a way to celebrate her French roots and give back to her foster carers for all they have done for her and her sister Sally. Read her story here. 

By louiseventon on January 4th, 2023

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 Daisy Elliott on December 15th, 2022

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.   

By Vicki-tfn on November 21st, 2022

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 louiseventon on November 17th, 2022

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. 

By Vicki-tfn on October 14th, 2022

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.

By karina a on October 4th, 2022

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.  

By Eve Hatcher on September 27th, 2022

Chrissy Brown is a HR generalist and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Young Positive Minds which aims to empower children and provide them with the tools they need to maintain good mental health when faced with challenges. Here she tells us about positive affirmations and how to reinforce resilience in children and young people. 

By karina a on August 12th, 2022