'People talk themselves out of fostering'

'When you realise you've become their safe space, it's incredible.'

That is how foster carers Amy and James Goldsbrough-Vernon describe the role they play.

The couple, from Hyde, have been foster carers for three years. They started by providing respite care before becoming long-term foster parents to two teenage girls.

They are now encouraging others to consider fostering and backing a new government recruitment campaign aimed at creating 10,000 new foster places by 2029.

The Department for Education is recruiting more foster carers after the number of approved carers fell by 12% since 2019, while the number of children needing care has increased.

Government polling suggests 66% of people believe they could be a good foster carer if practical barriers were removed.

Ministers said many people rule themselves out before finding out more about fostering and are keen to highlight more flexible options, including respite and weekend care.

Amy and James began the fostering process while Amy was pregnant with their first child. They initially provided respite care for a teenage girl and, six months after their baby was born, decided to become long-term foster carers.

They now have a toddler, two teenagers and another baby on the way.

"It's worked out really well for us," Amy said.

"You realise the impact you're making when one of the girls comes up and gives you a hug. When you realise you've become their safe space, it's incredible," she added.

"It can definitely be a challenge at times, but you manage. If you think about it too much, you convince yourself you can't do it. That's why a lot of people talk themselves out of fostering.

"But it's really rewarding."

James said: "I think people naturally come up with challenges as to why they couldn't or shouldn't be foster carers.

"Our message would be don't let those things stop you.

"The amount of support out there is overwhelming."

He noted that caring can come in different forms, from providing respite for a weekend a month to being long-term guardians until the children leave care.

For Amy and James, the two girls in their care have become their family.

Amy said: "When we found out we were pregnant this time, we told the girls first, before the rest of our families.

"They came with us to one of the scans and they're really excited. In their minds, they're becoming big sisters."

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