Majority of UK Adults Unlikely to Consider Fostering a Child

With a number of children waiting to be fostered, the survey highlighted that a large majority of UK adults would not consider fostering a child, with 70% of respondents considering themselves very unlikely or unlikely to foster a child in the future. Only 6% would consider themselves likely or extremely likely to foster a child in the future, with the remainder not sure or undecided.

With a number of children waiting to be fostered, the survey highlighted that a large majority of UK adults would not consider fostering a child, with 70% of respondents considering themselves very unlikely or unlikely to foster a child in the future. Only 6% would consider themselves likely or extremely likely to foster a child in the future, with the remainder not sure or undecided.

Surprisingly, the survey also highlighted that those from less affluent households were more likely to consider fostering a child than those from well off households. Of the 6% of respondents who answered that they were likely or extremely likely to consider fostering a child in the future, all came from households with a combined income of less than £50'000, and nearly two-thirds of these had a combined household income of less than £30'000.

In addition to this, several common misconceptions were highlighted:

This is incorrect. Single carers are valued equally as highly as joint carers.

You do not require previous childcare experience as extensive training and support is provided.

This is correct, however only provided the child is over 5 years of age.

You are able to foster over the age of 60.

Also untrue. You are able to foster a child if you are under the age of 30.

Overall it seems there is currently a low level of interest among UK adults in fostering a child. This may be primarily due to a lack of understanding about foster care so there may be more that the government and foster care agencies can do to educate the population in this respect. Those that do believe that they may be interested in fostering can learn more at http://www.capstonefostercare.co.uk, an independent UK fostering agency.