Fostering in 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to consider how you can make a meaningful difference in the year ahead. Across the UK, the need for foster carers has never been greater. Recent figures show that over 70,000 children are currently in care, with many still waiting for the stability and warmth a foster home can provide. This growing demand highlights the critical role foster carers play in shaping brighter futures for children and young people.
In Wakefield, the picture is equally urgent. There are currently 680 children in care across our district. And sadly, there are more than three times as many children in care as we can accommodate through in-house fostering placements. This means too many children are being placed outside the area, creating further challenges for them.
"Our fostering community is the backbone of support for children in care," says Debbie Hague, Service Manager at Fostering Wakefield. "Nationally, we face a growing need for foster carers, and Wakefield is no exception. The reality is that every foster carer can make a life-changing difference. By opening your heart and home, you are not just transforming a child’s future—you’re strengthening our local community as a whole."
Whether you’re single, part of a couple, or already raising children, fostering is open to people from all walks of life. Children need homes for various reasons—sometimes for just a short time, and in other cases, for longer-term support. Whatever type of fostering fits your life, there is a child who will benefit immensely from your care.
Becoming a foster carer is a journey, but it’s one you won’t take alone. At Fostering Wakefield, we provide tailored training and support, and a community of experienced carers to help you every step of the way.
This New Year, why not resolve to make a difference? By taking the first step — you’re creating a pathway to change a child’s life.
This year, be the difference a child needs. Contact us today to start your fostering journey. Together, we can make 2025 a year of hope, love, and fresh beginnings.