Warning over foster care crisis

Thousands of families must come forward to avert a looming foster care crisis in the coming year, a report has warned.

Figures published today by the Fostering Network show at least 8,750 new foster families will be required by struggling fostering services across the UK in 2012. The charity says the number of children in care who need foster homes has risen five years in a row, from 49,700 in 2005 to over 59,000 in 2011.

Coupled with an ageing foster caring population, it means growing numbers of children who need fostering may be forced to live in residential care, move a long way from their family home or be separated from their siblings.