There are some unfortunate stereotypes in the UK about looked after children. Here at FCA we’re committed to breaking down those barriers. This Foster Care Fortnight, we’re exploring some of the reasons why children are taken into care and learning more about what it’s like to be care experienced.
How many children are in care in the UK?
Did you know…?
- There are currently almost 110,000 children in the UK who are living in care
- Around 40% of children will be separated from their siblings while in foster care
- There has been a drop in the number of new foster families over the last few years, which is why we need more caring and resilient individuals to consider fostering.
Why do children need foster parents?
The important thing to remember is that it is never a child’s fault if they are removed from their family home. Children may be bought into the care of their Local Authority for a variety of reasons, including:
- A family crisis, such as a death in the family or court proceedings
- Abuse, neglect or domestic violence in the home
- The effects of living in poverty
- Parental illness, disability or addiction
- A caregiver being sent to prison
- A child’s family being unable to fully care for their additional needs, for example if a child has a complex disability or mental health needs
Foster care is designed to give children a nurturing, loving environment where they can begin to heal from any trauma they may have experienced as a result of the challenges they’ve faced. With patience, a caring heart and our excellent training, our FCA foster parents have all the tools they need to give children the right support.
Busting myths around foster care
Being care experienced is more common than people think. In fact, many famous faces, including BBC broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste and Hollywood actor Barry Keoghan, spent time living in care when they were children. But it’s not just about famous success stories— it’s about the everyday lives of care experienced people up and down the UK, working hard to support their families and contribute to our society in amazing ways.
In spite of this truth, there’s still an unfortunate stigma around growing up in the care of another family. Children and adults who have experience of living in care are known as being ‘care experienced.’ There is currently a movement gaining momentum which aims to add care experience as a tenth protected characteristic under UK law, alongside other protected characteristics like gender, sexuality and ethnicity. This would acknowledge the prejudice and inequality faced by many care experienced people, largely fuelled by false stereotypes.
How does being in care impact children?
Every child who enters the foster care system will have experienced some form of enormous challenge in their young lives, coupled with the trauma of needing to be removed from their family home and separated from the life they’ve always known. These challenging events, which we call Adverse Childhood Experiences, can have an enormous impact on a young person’s development, mental and emotional health, and— if they are not given the proper therapeutic support they need to thrive— their future.
That’s why we need amazing foster parents who are prepared to deal with the highs and lows of fostering a child, and who understand the effect that trauma can have on young lives. You’ll have our support on every step of the journey, and we’ll work together to ensure that every child who you could potentially care for receives the love and healing which they deserve.
“Your vision for your life should not be determined by your start in life. It shouldn’t be determined by debilitating things that people have said… there’s nothing that looked after children can’t achieve. We’ve all got talent, we’ve all got potential, we’ve all got something to contribute.”
- Ashley John-Baptiste talking about his own experience in care
Learn more about life for children in care
One of the best ways to get involved in Foster Care Fortnight 2025 is by learning more about what life it like for care-experienced children, and by raising awareness by sharing what you learn with others on social media or in person. If you’re ready to learn more, checkout our some of our recommended reads below:
- Read our blog on how trauma can effect behaviour
- Discover inspiring stories from real-life foster parents
- Watch the documentary ‘Joe Swash: Teens in Care’ (available on BBC iPlayer) Watch care-experienced actor Barry Keoghan as he explores the lives of care-experienced children across the globe
- Listen to this episode of Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ podcast on YouTube, where she sits down with Ashley John-Baptiste as he shares his journey from growing up in foster care to graduating from Cambridge and becoming a successful BBC broadcaster.
Could you help to change a child’s life?
One of the best ways that you can help care experienced children is by becoming a foster parent. So many children in the UK need homes right now, and with a worrying decline in you’re guidance, love and commitment to changing a child’s life is needed more than ever.
Contact our team today on 0800 098 4148, or fill out our simple enquiry form to hear back from a member of our team, who’ll help you to get started on your journey.