'I entered foster care at 14 and it saved my life'

A woman who entered care at 14 says her foster parents gave her stability, love and a future she never thought possible.

The number of foster carers has fallen by 12% since 2021 while the number of children needing care continues to rise.

The government has initiated a campaign to get 10,000 more foster care places. Ministers are promoting regional fostering hubs set up in recent years, including in the South West.

"Fostering definitely saved my life. If I wasn't fostered I don't know who I'd have ended up with," said Amy Burns, who was there for the launch at Downing Street.

Amy, now 26, and from Bristol, entered foster care at the age of 14 after what she describes as a difficult family situation.

Looking back, she believes the support and stability she received changed the course of her life.

"I had come out of a really bad family relationship, and if I hadn't been actually saved by my foster parents, I don't know where I'd have ended up.

"If they didn't stick it out, and if they didn't give me the love that I needed then I absolutely would not be here today."

Amy went on to attend university and build a career in the media, something she says would not have been possible without her foster family.

Amy's story comes as foster carer numbers fall and demand for placements grows.

The number of children in care in Bristol and Somerset has risen by 35% over the past seven years.

Experts say foster care often delivers better outcomes for children, but a shortage of carers means more young people are ending up in children's homes.

Amy was among the speakers at the launch of a new government initiative aimed at recruiting thousands more foster carers.

The campaign includes a push to attract people from a wider range of backgrounds and encourage more flexible forms of fostering.

Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister said more people may now be able to consider fostering.

"Families can come forward in their 20s or 30s or 40s, who might be able to foster part-time at the weekends," he said.

"Now is the time to come forward and join fostering, because it is changing and it is improving."

Guidelines will be made clearer, helped by £88m of new funding.

Also backing the campaign is Wes, a single parent from Yate in South Gloucestershire, who has fostered and adopted children over the past 14 years.

Wes, 46, believes many people rule themselves out before finding out what fostering involves.

"I feel that every day I've made a chance for a child to have a better life," he said.

He said concerns about finances or the challenges children may bring should not necessarily stop people from applying.

"Yes there is trauma, and yes sometimes I have to talk about the past, but to me it's all about the day that you're in and what's coming forward, that child knows that they're going to be safe and happy in my care."

Among those supporting recruitment efforts is Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for children's services.

His council plays a leading role in the South West Fostering Hub, which was set up two years ago to help councils work together on recruitment and support for foster carers.

He said the shortage of foster homes had practical as well as financial consequences because more children end up in residential care, where placements can be significantly more expensive - at £318,000 per year.

"I cannot stress enough: every foster carer we recruit not only makes a massive difference to a young person's life, but also actually saves a considerable amount of money," he said.

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