Fostering favourites call it a day

You've probably heard all the recent negative stories about 'looked after' children so here's some upbeat news for a change!

Trowbridge couple Phil and Pat Simons are finally retiring after fostering more than 100 children.

The husband and wife team have been providing foster care for vulnerable youngsters since 1985, when Mrs Simons was inspired to become a foster-carer after being brought up in a one-parent home.

Lack of foster parents means that, of the 78,900 children in public care in England, 13% of them will experience three or more placements in the course of one year (figures from British Association for Adoption & Fostering). This rises with age, with 16% of children over 10 will experiencing three or more placements in a 12-month period.

This is a particular worry with infants and toddlers, as 12% of 'looked after' children under 2 (640 of them) will experience three or more placements in the course of one year, which can be particularly upsetting and traumatic when a child is going through the attachment stages and needs stability in order to bond with his or her carer.

Mrs Simons commented 'If there were no foster carers I do not know what would happen to these children. I do not like to think about that.'

British fostering associations share her concerns and are calling for extra government investment of £748 million to improve foster care services across the UK. At present, there is a national shortfall of at least 10,000 foster carers.

Phil and Pat Simons deserve their well-earned retirement but let's hope their achievements inspire others to fill the gap!

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*Source: Going to University from Care by Sonia Jackson, Sarah Ajayi and Margaret Quigley for the Frank Buttle Trust 2005

**Source: Social Exclusion Unit 2006