Home News Edward Timpson and Lorraine Pascale mark Foster Care Fortnight

Edward Timpson and Lorraine Pascale mark Foster Care Fortnight

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DfE uses social media to dispel myths around what makes a good foster carer, to coincide with Foster Care Fortnight.

Myths around what makes a good foster carer are being dispelled on social media by the Department for Education.

The mythbuster shows that the things many people see as obstacles to becoming foster carers are in fact not barriers at all, and that it is easier to do than people think.

Among the myths dispelled today (11 June 2015) are that those who are not married or already have children would not be able to foster. It also makes clear that sexuality is no barrier to becoming a foster parent.

And it coincides with Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign run by the Fostering Network to highlight the need for more foster carers from a wider variety of backgrounds.

This year’s campaign runs until 14 June, and asks people to ‘make a connection’ to fostering.

Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families, and whose own family fostered around 90 children said:

“As someone who grew up in a large fostering family, I know only too well that not only do those who foster often find it a hugely rewarding experience, but most importantly, the impact on the children they’ve cared for – and connected with – can be life-changing.”

“Every child deserves a loving home and the chance to thrive. As we mark Foster Care Fortnight, it’s vital that as many people as possible, from all walks of life, are encouraged to both think about fostering and go on to take that positive step of opening up their home to children in real need of their help.”

Chef and author Lorraine Pascale, who was fostered as a child and is the government’s first Fostering Ambassador, said:

“Fostering is a cause that’s very close to my heart and I know from personal experience how important foster carers are.”

“And while it’s a vital role, it’s also important to make sure people know that it’s easier than they might think to become a foster carer. Many of the things people think are barriers in fact aren’t.”

“Every child is different, and that’s why I’d like to see people from all walks of life giving serious thought to becoming foster carers and helping give a child the very best start in life.”

There is no one size fits all in fostering and what is right for one foster child might not be right for another. That is why it is important that people from all backgrounds and all walks of life consider fostering.

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