Hampshire County Council seeks 150 foster carers amid rising numbers of children in care

AN appeal has been launched to find 150 households in Hampshire willing to help meet the "urgent" need for foster homes.

The county council has kicked off a new campaign to hit the target by the end of 2023 amid rising numbers in care and a shortage of placements for youngsters without a family.

Local partners getting involved in the awareness push include Paultons Park and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

The campaign’s message is: "When every door is closing on a child... can you open yours?"

Cllr Roz Chadd, HCC cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I have seen first-hand the vital role our foster carers play in keeping Hampshire’s most vulnerable children safe.

"Our thanks go to each and every one of our foster carers for all they do for children in Hampshire.

“There is, however, a shortage of foster carers nationally and we’re calling on the people of Hampshire to help make a huge difference to young lives in the county, right now – and to become a foster carer. We really need residents’ help."

There are different types of fostering arrangements, from full-time to more flexible options. Training is provided, together with an allowance for each child to cover day-to-day costs.

Applications are welcomed from people aged 21 and over, and background, ethnicity, religion, relationship status or sexuality are no barrier.

However, prospective foster carers do need to have a spare room in their home.

Cllr Chadd added: "In Hampshire, we work hard to keep families together and reduce the number of children coming into care.

"Nonetheless, the gap between the number of children needing a loving home and the number of foster carers available continues to widen.

"There are now 200 more children in the county council’s care than in 2018 and this figure is rising, but the number of foster carers has not increased at the same rate, so we need an extra 150 fostering households by the end of 2023.”

To find out more visit www.hants.gov.uk/fostering