An urgent appeal has been launched to find more foster carers in Bristol as the existing number barely covers half of the number of children in need of loving homes. Bristol City Council says there are more than 750 children and young people in foster care in the city, but only 353 fostering households.
It has called on Bristolians to come forward and offer local children a secure home. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said there has been a “rapid decline” in the number of people joining the fostering community, which has led to the shortage of carers. At the same time, the need for foster carers has continued to rise.
Given the number of fostering homes in the city, around 40 per cent of children will have to be placed with private fostering agencies or in children’s homes. This can result in siblings being separated or children having to move away from everything they know, such as friends and schools and familiar communities.
