Posted on 29 June 2015
[Press release from the Fostering Network]
Until now there has been little investigation in to the costs that foster carers bear in order to provide the extra accommodation space that their fostered children require, or the implication on foster carer recruitment and retention.
This groundbreaking new research by Professor Tunstall is an important first step in increasing our understanding of the issue, and in helping the fostering sector consider what might be the policy implications affecting matters such as allowances and grants to foster carers, and the allocation of social housing.
Some key findings of the report include:
The implications of the findings are that many potential foster carers will have to rule themselves out because they don’t have, or can’t afford, an extra room. There are considerable implications for recruitment and retention.
Professor Tunstall has used a variety of primary and secondary sources, including a survey of foster carers carried out by The Fostering Network among its members in July 2014.
The Fostering Network is very grateful to Professor Tunstall and to all the foster carers who participated in the survey.