The Fostering Network supports Barnardo's fostering campaign

Commenting on the press release issued by Barnardo's looking at the needs of older children in care, Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said:

“We welcome the fact that Barnardo’s is drawing further attention to the need for more foster carers. Due to the continued rise in children coming into care who require foster homes, an ageing foster care population and around 14 per cent of the workforce leaving every year, more foster carers are urgently needed.

"Fostering services have to recruit at least 8,750 more foster carers in 2012 alone, and while we are encouraging people to come forward to look after all types of children, there is a really acute need for people to foster older children and particularly teenagers.

"Too many teenagers who end up in care are missing out at a stage in their lives when a good foster family could make all the difference, helping them to achieve at school and prepare for adulthood.

"We know that virtually all fostering services are in desperate need of more people to foster teenagers, so if you think you have what it takes to provide them with a stable and secure home get in touch with your local fostering service to find out more. Now is the time to care.”

The Fostering Network recently released recruitment targets showing the need for at least 8,750 foster families to be found across the UK in 2012.

People who want more information about becoming a foster carer can visit www.couldyoufoster.org.uk, call Fosterline on 0800 040 7675 or email fosterline@fostering.net

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For more information contact the Fostering Network press office on 020 7620 6425 or media@fostering.net. Follow us on Twitter @fostering.net

Notes to editors

1. The full recruitment target figures were issued by the Fostering Network on Tuesday 20 December, showing the need for 7,100 new foster families in England, 1,000 in Scotland, 550 in Wales and 100 in Northern Ireland.

2. Around 59,000 children live with 45,000 foster families on any one day across the UK, with thousands more coming into care throughout the year.

3. The number of children in care in the UK living with foster families at any one time has risen every year since 2005 from 49,700 to over 59,000 in 2011.

4. The Age of Foster Care, published by the Fostering Network in 2009, showed the average age of 46 in 2000 to 53 in 2009.

5. For key facts, information and case studies see the Could You Foster? press pack.

6. The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading charity for all those involved in foster care. It exists to make life better for fostered children and those who care for them.