A thoughtful-looking girl in the foreground wearing a brown hoodie with bear ears, with an out-of-focus man in the distance walking towards her — Image caption,

More foster families are needed in Somerset due to the growing number of children in care

Rachel Candlin

BBC News, West of England

More foster families are “urgently” needed due to a “growing number” of children coming into care and a corresponding decline in carers, a council has said.

Recent figures for Somerset show there were 608 children in care on 30 September, an increase of 23.6 per cent in 10 years.

According to Somerset Council, there has been “a steep overall downwards trend” of families volunteering to foster since the Covid-19 pandemic, down by nearly a quarter (24.2%) since 2020.

Somerset Council is running a campaign, external to encourage more families to volunteer.

An information session is being held on 24 October in Yeovil for potential foster families.

The council said it wanted to recruit more in-house foster carers to reduce the high-cost of providing external placements for an increasing number of young people.

It also said foster families “provide significant long-term cost savings at a time when finances are under intense pressure and scrutiny”.

Council leader, Bill Revans, said: “We know that finding a supportive home for a local child is the best thing for them, but the added benefit is that it also saves the taxpayer money.”

Image source, Somerset Council

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A stable foster home with a nurturing family provides “the best environment” for children in care, the council said

Speaking at a meeting of the executive, Mr Revans added: “There is clearly an urgent need for more foster carers in Somerset.

“As our campaign slogan says, this is your chance to change a child’s story and have a positive impact on their life and future.

“I urge everyone to spread the word by sharing details of our adverts and information events.”

A council spokesperson added: “Finding a stable foster home with a nurturing family provides the best environment for most children and young people in care, ensuring they can remain in their local community, surrounded by the faces and places they know.

“No experience is necessary to foster, you just need to be aged 21 or over, with a spare room in your home to start the process. Weekly payments and full training is provided.”