Fostering Age of Young People in Care to Increase From 18 to 21
The government have recently announced that foster children in England will be able to remain with their foster families until the age of 21, instead of the current age of 18.
A funding figure of £40m has been pledged by the government to assist foster carers for the additional three years of care required.
Under the Children and Families Bill, the new law is due to be passed this year, and will affect only those families who are happy to carry on with fostering.
This new law will mean more financial support and training will be available for those foster carers who wish to continue looking after the young people in their care beyond their 18th birthday.
The successful campaign by the Fostering Network ‘Don’t Move Me’ has been instrumental in the change to the law.
Having grown up with over 87 foster children himself, Mr Edward Timpson says, ” I know from the many foster children that I grew up with how vital it is to have enough time to prepare for life outside foster care”
Several local authorities are already offering foster children this chance, but the extra funding will mean that all councils will have to follow this example.
The new law will affect 10,000 young people who would otherwise have had to leave a secure, loving home at the age of 18.
However, there is still a huge shortage of foster carers, withe a shortfall of 9,000 in England.
If you are interested in fostering call us on 08701 20 35 20 or complete the ‘Request a Call Back’ form above a member of the Lorimer Fostering team will talk you through the process.
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