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Councillors across the UK are being sent postcards to remind them of their legal responsibilities for children in care, as part of a campaign launched this week.

The Fostering Network's 'Do you know who your children are?' campaign is urging councillors to play a greater role in promoting children in care's well-being, as well as work more efficiently to tackle the issues that impact on their development. 

Councillors will be asked if children in their corporate care are getting the help they need at school, if they are in suitable accommodation and if foster carers have enough support.

The charity is offering councillors the opportunity to meet with local foster carers to hear some of the challenges they face. It has also produced an information pack on how to be a good corporate parent.

Every councillor has a role

Vicki Swain, Fostering Network campaigns manager, said: "We believe that every councillor in England, Scotland and Wales has an important role to play in helping children to thrive, particularly by supporting foster carers, social workers and others to help to turn their lives around."

There are over 72,000 children and young people in care in the UK. The charity estimates that a further 10,000 foster carers are needed in the UK.  

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