In the wake of the announcement that more than ten thousand
children have been subject to care proceedings in England in the year ending 31st
March 2012, an all time record, the Fostering Network once again reminds us of
the serious shortfall in the numbers of foster parents. More than 7,000 are
urgently required.
The Fostering Network has been saying the same thing for a
long time, but nobody seems to be listening. It should be obvious to politicians
and civil servants that the care system cannot go on absorbing increased
numbers of children without a significant increase in resources.
This issue ought to be a number one priority for ministers.
But they seem oddly silent. To stand by and watch the care system buckle under the pressure would be a dreadful betrayal of children.
