Action for Children acts to dispel fostering myths

Wide spread misunderstanding over who is eligible to foster is contributing to a chronic shortage of foster carers, according to foster care provider Action for Children.

The charity conducted research to better understand the scale of the misunderstanding, and was surprised by the results:

• A third of respondents believe that people in rented accommodation can’t foster.
• A third think foster carers need to be in full time employment and were unaware that there is financial support available for foster carers.
• One in three respondents believe that gay people are not able to foster.
• Around a fifth believe that men can’t be foster carers.
• Just over 50% believe the over-55s are not eligible to foster.

As the UK is currently facing a shortfall of 9,000 foster carers, Action for Children believes it is vital to dispel these myths and encourage more people to come forward to foster.

“It is estimated that it takes four years from someone to think they would like to foster to actually picking up the phone and making their initial enquiry,” explained Darren Johnson, Operational Director - Fostering, Adoption & Permanency UK at Action for Children.

“So often the reason behind this delay is because of the misconceptions they have, and their fear of rejection. But this could be prevented by helping people to understand that in the majority of cases they can foster and that have a lot to offer a young person in care.”

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