writes Lauren RevansTo mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, the Fostering Network has warned that two-thirds of the UK's foster carers are in their 50s, 60s and 70s.
This is worrying since the success of the government's Care Matters agenda to improve the lot of children-in-care rides largely on the existence of a first-rate, fully-manned foster care system.
MPs sitting on the children, schools and families select committee have backed calls for a framework of fee payments and a national registration scheme for foster carers, linked to better training and improved status.
The care system is struggling to cope with an estimated shortage of 100,000 foster families. Failure to make foster caring a more attractive career will result in even greater shortages, and a care system even less able to cope.
The same is true of the adult sector where there is a scarcity of carers for vulnerable adults, and a lack of willingness from care managers to place vulnerable adults in a supportive family environment; residential is too ofetn seen as a quick and easy option.