Foster Care is not suffering due to negativity – I’m positive about that

I am passionate about foster care. My commitment to fostering is driven by a desire to create the best system we possibly can for our children and those who care for them, something we are very far from at present.

To do this we must move beyond a simplistic view of positive versus negative narratives. The reality of foster care is far more complex and nuanced, requiring us to acknowledge both the good and the bad.

The fostering industry currently appears unwilling to acknowledge any negative narratives, consistently rejecting negative aspects to protect a positive image. However, it is crucial to recognise this dichotomy as embracing both the positive and negative elements is essential for making progress and providing the best care for the children involved.

It is also crucial for recruitment and retention as ignoring the negatives only serves to exacerbate the existing problems, preventing the system from evolving and better serving the needs of the children in our care.

Foster care is not struggling due to a lack of positivity; rather, its challenges stem from systemic issues and vested interests. The system suffers because there are more incentives tied to its failure than to its success.

The concept of balance is crucial. However, achieving balance does not mean incessantly highlighting the positive aspects or claiming that outcomes are uniformly amazing-they are not.

Instead, we must confront the failures, crises, and systemic decay that have brought us to a point where we are failing our children, young people, and those leaving care every day.

The foster care system is in disarray, evidenced by empirical evidence and government statistics, with an all-time low in retention and recruitment. 

The underlying issues have only been brought to light by those of us with enough courage and willingness to expose the negative aspects. Embracing the negative might seem counterintuitive, but recognising what is broken is essential to any hope of repair.

Unfortunately, the foster care industry is often more concerned with self-preservation – protecting budgets, funding, profits, egos, and careers—than with addressing its failures. This protectionism ignores the core mission: protecting children and supporting the workforce that makes the system function. Neglecting these priorities has led to deteriorating outcomes for children and young people year on year.

A prevalent misconception is that revealing the truth about foster care will deter potential carers. This belief is misguided. The real issue is not the children or their behaviours, but the systemic obstacles that prevent foster carers from recommending the profession, and contribute to their departure. This is within our power to change.

Hiding the negative aspects and glossing over the challenges is not only unethical but also counterproductive.

Misleading potential carers exacerbate children’s suffering, as many new carers leave within a year, disillusioned by a false portrayal of the realities of fostering, perpetuating the turnover of children’s placements. This cycle of misleading positivity harms everyone involved.

We must aim for a realistic and honest portrayal of foster care, acknowledging that while perfection is unattainable, there is significant room for improvement in the current system.

The false positivity propagated by many services, agencies, recruitment and marketing departments, fostering organisations and charities, exacerbates the current crisis, with the largest funding ironically often going to those promoting the most misleading narratives. This raises a critical question: who truly benefits from this approach? It certainly isn’t the children.

Do I recommend fostering at present? Absolutely. The need for foster carers is significant, and both the children and the system require your involvement. However, there are important considerations to bear in mind. Approach fostering with a comprehensive understanding of your role and the associated responsibilities.

Pursue quality education, such as accredited foster care qualifications, and prioritise learning about trauma-informed care these should be considered essential, not optional. Avoid being drawn and misled by overtly positive narratives, which will lead you to foster with unrealistic expectations ultimately leading to significant and insurmountable challenges.

Familiarise yourself with the standards, regulations, and roles of other professionals involved. Equip yourself with knowledge about the allegations process and embrace the professional aspects of fostering. The system itself will present challenges, particularly in securing the necessary support for you and the child. Your preparedness in navigating these complexities will be crucial to your success and the well-being of the child in your care.

Are there any positives? Absolutely, there are thousands – they are the looked-after children and young people who will be in your care. If you are properly supported, fostering can provide a sense of purpose unparalleled by any other vocation.

Moreover, it brings profound meaning to the lives of those you care for. Could there be a better reward?

Imagine the possibilities for our children and young people when we achieve our objective: to have first-class world-leading foster care. By embracing both the positive and negative aspects of foster care, we can create a system that truly supports and protects those who need it most.