JERSEY’S foster care service is in a “stronger position” following a government push to increase the number of carers.
Annette Hope, fostering and adoption head of service, said there were now eight new foster families in the Island following the latest appeal.
She explained that Jersey had faced a shortage of foster carers since the pandemic – but the service was now recovering.
In 2022, former Children’s and Education Minister Inna Gardiner said Jersey had “not seen a crisis like this in fostering and adoption for ten years”.
Ms Hope said: “It is an exciting time for Jersey’s fostering and adoption services and the service has thrived with a renewed focus on foster carer recruitment.
“We have experienced many service improvements, changes to our workstreams for improved delivery and a refreshed marketing and recruitment approach.
“Jersey has experienced the same crisis and shortage of foster carers since the pandemic as fostering services in England.
“It is wonderful to see this is recovering, with an excellent, responsive team of professionals driving this forward in reduced timescales.”
Alongside the eight new foster families, three more were due soon, with 13 ongoing inquiries from two recent campaigns.
The Making Time for Teens campaign, launched last August, encouraged more people to consider fostering teenagers and resulted in six inquiries – with two applicants waiting to take part in Skills to Foster training that includes first aid, child protection and record-keeping.
Foster Care Fortnight, an annual awareness-raising campaign in May, led to seven new inquiries.
Ms Hope added: “It is a great time to join the Jersey Fostering Service and we would encourage anyone considering taking that step to get in touch with us urgently, so we can skilfully navigate you through the process.
“It could be life-changing for you, and our children need you.”
Anyone considering becoming a foster carer can email fosteringandadoption@health.gov.je or call 443970.
