Our Motivation
Addressing the Urgent Need for Quality Foster Carers
At Skylark Fostering, our drive to establish a new fostering agency is rooted in a deep awareness of the pressing and ever-growing need for dedicated foster carers in the UK. The current landscape is concerning: according to recent reports (The Fostering Network & gov.uk), more experienced foster carers are leaving the profession than new ones are entering it, leading to a significant shortfall in available, high-quality care for vulnerable children. Statistics from The Fostering Network reveal that in 2022 alone, the UK faced a shortfall of over 8,000 foster carers, a gap that has only widened in recent years. This shortage means that thousands of children each year are at risk of not finding the safe and nurturing homes they desperately need.
The challenges these children face extend far beyond the immediate need for a stable home. Many care leavers encounter substantial obstacles as they transition into adulthood, including difficulties in securing housing, education, and employment. Research shows that in 2023, nearly 38% of care leavers aged 19-21 are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a stark contrast to their peers (around 13% of all young people aged 19-21 are NEET). This statistic underscores the critical need for foster agencies that are not just temporary solutions but are committed to providing long-term, holistic support.
Our mission at Skylark Fostering is clear: we aim to address this urgent need by not only increasing the number of foster carers but by ensuring that each child and young person in our care receives the comprehensive, life-enriching support they need to thrive—both during and beyond their time in foster care. We believe that every child deserves the chance to find stability, experience love, and develop the skills necessary to build a successful future.
We are committed to reversing the current trends by promoting a close-knit, supportive community where every child can find a place to belong, and every foster carer feels empowered and supported. At Skylark, our dedication goes beyond just filling the gap; we are focused on transforming the future for vulnerable children, providing them with the stability, care, and opportunities they need to overcome the challenges they face and to thrive in life.
