Urgent need for foster carers in Birmingham

Foster Birmingham, part of Birmingham Children’s Trust, is encouraging people in Birmingham to consider becoming foster carers this Foster Care Fortnight (12-25 May 2025)..

Throughout the next two weeks, Foster Birmingham will be joining others across the UK to thank foster carers for all they do and raise awareness of the life-changing impact fostering can have.

This year’s theme - The Power of Relationships - highlights the vital connections at the heart of fostering. The bonds formed with foster carers help children and young people grow and thrive. Foster carers play a crucial role in providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children and young people - many of whom have faced difficult or traumatic experiences.

They support children in their education, physical and emotional wellbeing, and help them rebuild trust and confidence. 

But we urgently need more foster carers. Across the West Midlands, according to the Fostering Network there is currently a shortage of 630, leaving too many children without the local homes they need. 

Without locally based foster carers, children can end up in foster homes outside of their Local Authority / Trust area, far away from everything they know – family, friends, schools and clubs.  

During Foster Care Fortnight, Foster Birmingham will be holding two information events for anyone wanting to find out more about fostering and if it is right for them and their family. Both events begin at 6.00pm and can be booked online at www.fosterbirmingham.co.uk:

• Thursday 15 May at The Harvest Fields Centre, Harvest Fields Way, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5TJ
• Thursday 22 May online via Microsoft Teams

Pip Gagliano-Ransom, Foster Birmingham’s Marketing Manager said: “Foster carers come from all walks of life - Just as there is diversity in children who are fostered, foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different skills and qualities to help meet the needs of children and young people they care for. At Foster Birmingham, all our carers receive ongoing training and support, as well as a competitive financial package. 

We would encourage anyone who has ever considered fostering to attend one of our information events, or enquire online at www.fosterbirmingham.co.uk By taking that first step, you could make a real positive difference to the lives of children and young people locally.”

Priscilla Spence, Assistant Head of the Fostering Service, said: “Contributions from you, your family, and your networks are always invaluable, which is why hearing from you or anyone else thinking about embarking on this path, would be so welcoming to see.”

If you’re keen to learn more about fostering or ready to take the next step, contact Foster Birmingham during Foster Care Fortnight on 0121 303 7575, or enquire online at www.fosterbirmingham.co.uk

Foster Care Fortnight runs from 12 - 25 May 2025 and is the UK’s biggest awareness raising campaign for fostering. It is run by the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.