Foster Care Fortnight: Over 6,000 NE children ‘need families’

OVER 6,000 children across the North East need foster families, new data shows.

The heartbreaking stat comes amid a stark warning that the region is experiencing an “unprecedented” fostering crisis.

Currently, the North East has the highest rate of children in care in England. One area – Hartlepool – has the third highest rate of any town or city.

A not-for-profit fostering organisation from the town, Changing Futures North East, has urged people to “think again” about the possibility of fostering.

“The scale is unlike anything we’ve seen previously, and we now have more children in care than families to look after them,” said Sarah Richardson, fostering manager for Changing Futures Fostering.

“These are often vulnerable children, from Northumberland down to Redcar, who just desperately want some stability and safety in their lives.”

Her warning comes on the back of Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign that ran from May 11 – 24.

The campaign aims to highlight the life-changing impact foster carers can have on vulnerable children and young people.

And the latest Government drives home the sheer scale of the crisis in our region.

• In the North East, there are 1,060 looked after children aged four or under – including 310 babies
• Abuse or neglect is the main reason 69 per cent of local children are in care
• 800 children in the North East have been placed over 20 miles from their home

At Changing Futures North East, the organisation helps place children with foster families across the region, from Washington down to East Cleveland.

And having recently warned of “fake news” deterring many would-be applicants, she has urged potential foster families to explore the possibility of supporting a youngster.

“People are needlessly deterred from fostering for multiple reasons – be it the cost, or the assumption they wouldn’t be suitable – but often these are barriers that can either be overcome or simply aren’t real,” she added.

“Additionally, some worry that children in care or potentially unruly, but the Government data shows that just one per cent of North East children are primarily in care due to their behaviour

“Instead, the overwhelming majority are children who just need some love. The data says it all; these are kids who have suffered abuse or neglect or come from homes where parents have struggled to provide the safety and stability they need.

Data shows that 1,440 children in the region – almost a quarter of those in care – are there due to either a family that’s that’s unable to meet children’s needsor in acute stress.

“Ultimately, these children are the victims and simply need a chance – a bit of TLC and guidance – and a fresh start,” added Sarah.

“Fostering comes in all shapes and sizes. We support families who foster children long-term, but I also have families who are not full-time.

“It can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding, and even providing stability for a short period can have a lifelong positive impact on a child.

“We would encourage anybody who has ever considered fostering, even briefly, to have a conversation and find out more.”

For more information visit https://changingfuturesfostering.co.uk/