A NEW approach to recruiting foster carers is beginning to make a difference, Devon County Council has said.

With more people coming forward to find out about how they could change a child’s life, the council says its shift towards honest conversations and real-life experiences is helping more people take that first step to explore fostering.

The renewed focus comes at a time of growing demand.

There are around 810 children in care in Devon, compared to around 271 approved foster homes, meaning some children are placed outside the county or in residential care.

Councils across the UK are using this year’s Fostering Fortnight ‘This is Fostering’ campaign to highlight the everyday realities of fostering, and Devon County Council’s approach reflects that national focus on sharing real experiences.

Their fostering service, Fostering Devon, has been working more closely with local communities, businesses and existing foster carers to create opportunities for a different kind of conversation about fostering.

One example was their recent ‘Hearts & Homes’ conference in Exeter.

Rather than focusing on traditional recruitment messaging and sign-ups, the event created space for people to listen, ask questions and hear real experiences, directly from those who know fostering best.

Devon County Council says activity like this is helping more people feel informed and supported when considering fostering.

Early signs suggest this approach is working.

More than 30 prospective foster carers are currently going through the approval process with Devon County Council, although many more are still needed to meet demand.

Sandra Carnall, Head of Service for Fostering and Kinship Care at Devon County Council, said: ‘Fostering is one of the most important and life changing things you can do, but we know it’s also a big decision.

‘We know people want to understand what fostering is really like before they consider it.

‘Our focus has been on having more open and honest conversations, so people can hear real experiences and ask questions.

‘It is encouraging to see more people now coming forward to find out more, but we still urgently need more foster carers across Devon’.