Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole needs more foster carers

The average number of children in care is higher in BCP than most other areas in England (66 per 10 000 children under 18 compared to it’s neighbour Wiltshire 41 per 10 000 under 18). In April 2023, Home for Good began working with BCP Council to help find families who will welcome children through fostering.

We believe that the Church is ideally placed to meet this need. We want to find foster homes from church communities in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, so children and young people can find stable and loving homes close to their schools, friends and wider support networks. This is key to enable children and young people to thrive.

The Need

In 2022-23, 486 children and young people spent time in care in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP).

Whatever their circumstances, each of these children and young people will have experienced trauma and loss, and is in need of a safe, stable and loving home.

Home for Good and BCP Council are striving to increase the number of foster homes so children can stay close to their schools, friends, and family and won't have to travel long distances to see them, or access education.

BCP Council are committed to ensuring that all of their cared for children have access to high quality, matched, local fostering placements when they need them.