Urgent call for more Bristol foster carers
Bristol City Council say they may be forced to split up siblings without more help
Bristol City Council is urgently calling for more foster carers saying they have five sets of siblings in need of homes.
Officials say it would be heart breaking to have to split them up; it all comes after a TV documentary aired this week exploring the impact splitting up kids in care can have.
The council says keeping siblings together can help them settle into foster homes more quickly as they can help support each other.
“It’s heart breaking to see siblings fostered separately, so we do everything we can to keep families together," said Director of Children, Families and Safer Communities, Sarah Parker.
"Separating siblings can add to their distress and leave them feeling lost at an already difficult time so it helps for them to have a friend and playmate they’ve known all their lives.
“We have wonderful foster carers in Bristol, but we simply do not have enough to meet demand, both for individual children, and sibling groups which is often harder for people to find space for.
“I’d appeal to anyone who has considered fostering before to find out more."
To become a foster carer you do not need to be married or own your own home.
According to the council you simply need to be 21 or over and have space at home.
“Sadly, there are too many children in Bristol that need that care and support, so we always need more foster carers," Sarah Parker added.
"You won’t be alone – we will support you every step of the way and even match you with your own experienced foster carer ‘buddy’.”
Around 40 children in the city currently need foster carers.
Foster carers are paid, and a range of support is available.
You can find out more about the system here.