{"id":69733,"date":"2026-05-12T14:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=69733"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:36:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:36:56","slug":"celebrating-devons-foster-carers-fostering-fortnight-2026-this-fostering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/celebrating-devons-foster-carers-fostering-fortnight-2026-this-fostering\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Devon\u2019s Foster Carers in Fostering Fortnight 2026 \u2013 \u2018This is Fostering\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Across the UK, hundreds of foster carers open their homes to provide love, stability, and care to children and young people in need. But many more foster carers are urgently needed to ensure every child can be matched with the right home for their individual needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Devon, we have 271 approved foster homes but 810 children in need of care. Many children are placed with families outside the county, away from their communities, or in care homes so we need to find more loving homes within Devon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are seeing more people come forward this year, with more than 30 potential new carers currently in the approval process but we still need more \u2013 could you open your home to a child in need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 11-24 May, The Fostering Network<\/a> is running its Foster Care Fortnight campaign<\/a> \u2013 a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the incredible impact of foster care, and to encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers. It\u2019s also a chance to say a big thank you to all foster carers for their remarkable dedication and call on the government for much needed change in the fostering sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s theme \u2018This is Fostering\u2019 shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering, raising awareness of the profound impact foster carers have on children\u2019s lives. It celebrates the skills, commitment and love they show, often in incredibly challenging circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout Foster Care Fortnight voices from across the fostering community will be sharing stories that raise awareness of their daily experiences. For foster carers, this could be the small moments that matter \u2013 helping a child build trust, getting them ready for a new school or adjusting their approach each time a child arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim is to show what fostering really involves \u2013 the skill, judgement and resilience it takes to provide safe, consistent care for children. By sharing these stories, we can raise awareness of what it truly takes to be a foster carer, and why it needs to be properly valued and supported.<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children\u2019s Services at Devon County Council, said: <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cFoster carers make a life\u2011changing difference to children and young people every day. Foster Care Fortnight is a chance to thank them for their incredible commitment, and to encourage more people to consider fostering and help ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported here in Devon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Social Services<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Sandra Carnall, Head of Fostering Services at Devon County Council, said:<\/strong> \u201cThe UK is in urgent need of more foster carers. Each year, we are losing more carers than we are gaining, and that simply isn\u2019t sustainable. This Foster Care Fortnight, we will be encouraging people to consider fostering while saying a big thank you to our existing foster carers for everything they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, retaining existing foster carers is just as important as recruiting new ones. There is urgent need for change within the fostering system to ensure it\u2019s sustainable for foster carers and the children they care for. We will be calling on the government to listen to foster carers across the UK and to help build a system in which they are truly valued and receive the support they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you to everyone who is helping us raise awareness of fostering during Foster Care Fortnight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you get involved?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to be a foster carer to support Foster Care Fortnight. Follow The Fostering Network on social media, and help spread the word by liking and sharing their posts. The more people who hear about the life-changing impact of fostering, the greater the chance of finding more homes for children who need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking about becoming a foster carer?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and want to make a difference to a child\u2019s life, fostering could be for you. We offer excellent training and support to those wishing to open their homes to children in need across Devon. Did you know \u2013 foster carers receive financial support, as well as potential savings on Council Tax. Contact us to find out more<\/a>, call 0345 155 1077 or visit www.fosteringdevon.gov.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Foster Care Fortnight and how to become a foster carer at Foster Care Fortnight | The Fostering Network<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":69734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7,24],"tags":[296,2235,2303,862],"class_list":["post-69733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children-families-and-education","category-dcc-homepage","tag-children-services","tag-cllr-richard-jefferies","tag-foster-care-fortnight","tag-fostering-devon"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":69734,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website - 2026-05-12T142120.674","alt":"Foster Care Fortnight 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