Fostering News: Minister takes tea with foster carers

Children’s minister Edward Timpson MP is taking afternoon tea with foster carers today to celebrate the Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight.

The minister, who last week announced a £250,000 contract for the Fostering Network to take foster carer recruitment to the next level in England, is also the son of a foster carer.

In support of Foster Care Fortnight the minister, who has responsibility for fostering in England, said: “I wholeheartedly support Foster Care Fortnight. I know from personal experience what difference good quality foster care can make to the lives of society’s most vulnerable children.

“I hope that those who haven’t considered fostering before, or those who have been thinking about offering a child a stable, loving home, will take this opportunity to put themselves ‘in the frame’ to foster.”

Vicki Swain, campaigns manager at the Fostering Network, said: “We’re thrilled that the minister has invited a group of foster carers to tea at Parliament. The opportunity for them to tell him about their experiences on the frontline of foster care is a superb one.”

At least 7,350 more foster families are needed across England this year alone to look after the rising number of children in care who need fostering. There are now more than 41,000 children who are fostered in England, a number which is rising year on year.

Foster Care Fortnight is the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and highlight the need for more foster families. To find out more about fostering, people should visit www.couldyoufoster.org.uk

Last week the minister got in the frame to show his support for fostering and Foster Care Fortnight – see our online gallery to find out who else is supporting the campaign.

Source: www.fostering.net/news/2013/minister-takes-tea-foster-carers#.UcgPYPm1F8F

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