As the UK faces an overwhelming fostering crisis with over 100 children a day entering the care system, Diagrama Foundation is appealing for new foster carers.
The UK is facing an unprecedented fostering crisis as current foster carers are simply not able to meet the daily demand to support the number of children entering the care system. Add to this that less people are applying to become foster carers and Diagrama Fostering, the not-for-profit fostering agency, is making an urgent appeal to ask more people to consider offering a child a safe home.
If you are looking for a worthwhile challenge or to set a life changing resolution for 2024 and could give a child or young person a new start in life, help them flourish and grow to be the best they can be, Diagrama Fostering would love to talk to you.
Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama Foundation said, “Fostering is an opportunity to change a life and we were delighted to see fostering feature in the Christmas episode of Doctor Who. If you do it, you offer safety and security to a child or young person who perhaps has never known those things. But it’s not just that – foster carers also bring fun and guidance into the lives of the children in their care. It’s a tremendous task to take on. It’s an amazing gift to be able to give.”
Just like parents, foster carers can be any gender or religion, married, single, retired, working full or part time, own their home or live in rented accommodation. You don’t have to have children of your own or commit to long term fostering, as carers are also needed to provide short term care for a few weeks or months at a time.
Unfortunately, nationwide statistics show that in 2023, only 6% of those who made initial enquiries about becoming a foster carer went on to apply.
Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama continued, “Diagrama Fostering works to ensure children and young people can become fully functioning adults and there is a fostering option to suit almost everybody’s circumstances. If you’re considering fostering, it’s really important to build a relationship with the right agency. We are a not for profit organisation, so we put our surplus funds back into providing our foster carers with full support throughout their fostering journey. As a progressive, caring and child-focused agency, Diagrama prioritises training because we know that people who have the confidence to care for children are the ones who are best able to provide a good home. Members of our team are also foster carers, and this first-hand experience is invaluable to our fostering network.”
To take the first step towards becoming a foster carer talk to the Diagrama team on 0800 802 1910, email fostering@diagrama.org or visit www.diagramafostering.org.uk
Statistics –
*Around 38,580 children entered the care system in 2023. That’s 105 every day.
www.homeforgood.org.uk/statistics
For reference information contact sam.lomas@homeforgood.org.uk
The greatest need for foster carers is for older children, sibling groups, children with a disability or an additional need and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who may have lost contact with their families as well as for parent and child placed together.
About Diagrama Foundation Fostering
Diagrama Fostering is an independent, not-for-profit fostering agency that provides a supportive environment for “looked after” children across South London, Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.
The Diagrama fostering agency is small enough to offer a personalised fostering experience while benefitting from the expertise and security that comes with being part of the larger Diagrama charitable foundation.
Diagrama foster carers are rewarded with a generous benefits package, 24/7 support, additional payments, holiday cover and a free training and appraisal programme to develop new skills.
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About Diagrama Foundation
Diagrama Foundation is a Kent based charity that supports vulnerable children, young people, and adults to live their best life.
Diagrama has a Supported Living Service across Bromley, three homes for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington, an eight bed care home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex a fifty-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex, and a fostering and adoption service in the southeast.
- The Supported Living Service, cares for 35 adults with learning disabilities, in nine homes across Bromley helping them to develop skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others.
- At Cabrini House in Orpington the charity promotes the development of core skills for 23 adults with learning disabilities so that they can lead independent lives integrated within their community.
- Duckyls Farm in West Sussex, a care home for eight residents with learning disabilities, joined the charity care provider in February 2023.
- The team at their nursing and dementia care home, Edensor Care Centre in Clacton on Sea, support vulnerable residents to live life to the full.
- Diagrama’s adoption and fostering service cares for children in South London, Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.
Many vulnerable children and adults don’t get the support they need to develop their true potential, but the Diagrama team know that when someone has time and belief invested in them, they come alive, because that investment has made them feel valued and worthy.
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