A directory of case studies and support discussing the recruitment and retention of foster carers, aimed at both independent and local authority fostering services, has been released following a two year programme, part run by The Fostering Network, and funded by the Department for Education.

The Fostering Network is saddened to hear that the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) has closed as of 31 July 2015.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: 'It is with a heavy heart that I must say a final thank you and congratulations to BAAF for their enormous contribution to the lives of children and young people and their journey through care and beyond.

The Fostering Network is calling on local authority and independent fostering services in England to complete the 2015 Fostering Service Performance Benchmark to provide statistical analysis and invaluable data comparisons against that of fostering services throughout the country. 

Our elected trustees need to be passionate about improving foster care for children and young people in the UK, and about The Fostering Network and its role. But beyond that they need to bring skills and experience which enable them to govern a large, successful and complex charity and membership organisation like The Fostering Network.

The Fostering Network welcomes the publication of The National Audit Office report: Care Leavers' Transition to Adulthood, and its scrutiny by the Commons Public Accounts Committee, as it reinforces the need for adequate investment in our social services throughout England.

The Fostering Network Wales is calling on foster carers to share their views on education.

In response to the release of the results of the national survey of children in care by the Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, in England, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “The Fostering Network has long campaigned for children in foster care to be supported beyond the age of 18 when they legally become an adult and leave the care system.

"In 2013, following The Fostering Network's Don't Move Me campaign, the Government in England implemented Staying Put to allow young people who reach 18 living in foster care the opportunity to continue to live with their foster carer, and other UK governments are following suit. When this is implemented consistently across the board, it will be a huge step towards improving the lives of young people leaving foster care, and we support research into introducing similar change for other care situations.

The Fostering Network’s 2015 Annual Conference will discuss the key educational issues for children and young people in foster care, and consider the work of innovative educators and programmes of activity. It will take place on Tuesday 17 November at BMA House in London.

The Fostering Network is calling on you to nominate people who have made an outstanding contribution to foster care in the last year as we prepare for the second annual Fostering Excellence Awards.

The Fostering Network is pleased to announce that early bird places are now available for our conference, Permanence in Foster Care: improving choices and life chances for children and young people, which will take place on Thursday, 17 September.