FtSE Member News: Fostering and adoption - a balanced debate?

The recent report by Martin Neary has opened a debate on the decreasing number of adoptions in the UK in recent years. As both a fostering and adoption agency, TACT has an interest in this important discussion. TACT is concerned that popular opinion can be influenced by unfortunate comments such as Mr. Nearey’s that if not adopted, ‘children are languishing in the care system’. This fails to recognise both the key role played by the thousands of foster carers who care for the majority of children and young people looked after by local authorities in the UK as well as the fact that for many children fostering is the best option available.

Offering to care for these children is a difficult, yet so often a rewarding, experience with many children and young people having their life chances enhanced by being part of a foster care family. Last week, in TACT’s head office, we had an excited group of fostered young people celebrating their GCSE results with us. They would not see themselves as languishing in the care system!

Source: www.tactcare.org.uk