Disabled people as foster carers – closing the recruitment gap and more

Recent Ofsted statistics for fostering in England show a steady decline in the number of approved fostering households, whereas the number of children needing foster homes has increased. To address this disparity, the present study explored the views of Disabled and Non-disabled foster carers regarding inclusivity within the foster care recruitment system. A two-year project was led by the University of Worcester, in co-production with Shaping Our Lives and the Foster Care Co-operative, using mixed methods across four fostering agencies. Findings were that discriminatory practices, a lack of knowledge and flexibility in recruitment, and a lack of role models meant that Disabled people were generally not perceived as potential recruits. Examples of Disabled foster carers acting as effective foster carers were found, but these were very few and far between. Recommendations are that these discriminatory practices should be challenged at all levels and replaced with a culture of inclusion.