An evangelical Christian fostering agency has lost a court battle over its policy of refusing to allow gay parents to sign up as carers. The Court of Appeal upheld an earlier ruling stating Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service must change its recruitment policy. The Doncaster-based agency brought the case after Ofsted downgraded its […]
A couple who looked after more than 600 children have retired as foster carers after 56 years. Pauline and Roger Fitter said they would cherish memories of watching vulnerable children flourish at their home in Camelsdale, West Sussex. One girl, aged three, arrived “silent”, unwilling to make eye contact or be touched, Mrs Fitter, 81, […]
Derby City Council is facing a legal challenge after being accused of not providing enough local accommodation for children in care. The Good Law Project (GLP), which is bringing the case, said the authority was failing in its legal duties. Cambridgeshire, Essex, Surrey and West Sussex county councils also face the same challenge over their […]
Up to 10 new children’s homes could be opened across Somerset to provide better support across the county. Companies will run children’s homes and provide education and fostering services in a £70m package in Somerset over 10 years. Somerset County Council said it was currently “too reliant on larger for-profit providers”. It said the cost […]
Published16 hours agoShare A couple who lost both their children to rare illnesses have become foster parents to honour their son’s final wishes. Karen and Paul Ledsham, of St Helens, said fostering had given them purpose after their daughter Abigail, one, and son Harrison, 12, died. Harrison had urged his parents to try fostering, saying: […]
More than one in five foster carers have considered quitting because of the coronavirus pandemic, an ITV News survey has revealed. Most of the 1,022 foster carers who participated in the ITV News survey said they feel support from government during the Covid-19 crisis has been “inadequate”. Their answers shed light on the heavy toll lockdown […]
A BGS Student started this petition to Batley Grammar School The RS Teacher was trying to educate students about racism and blasphemy. He warned the students before showing the images and he had the intent to educate them. He does not deserve such large repercussions. He is not racist and did not support the Islamiphobic cartoons in […]
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a study of children’s social care across Britain. It will consider low availability and rising costs in children’s homes and fostering, as well as concerns about private providers. CMA CEO Andrea Coscelli said it was a unique market and the overriding priority was to identify ways children […]
A couple aged 80 and 74 have said age is “no barrier” to fostering children. Retired publicans Bob and Janet Baker are Redcar and Cleveland Council’s oldest foster carers. The council needs to recruit more couples like Mr and Mrs Baker who said opening up their home and giving their time to needy children had […]
A ban on placing vulnerable children under the age of 16 in unregulated accommodation will come into force in September, the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced, as part of a series of reforms to drive up standards in children’s social care. Children in care under 16 will no longer be allowed to be accommodated […]