.62,000 children are in foster care in the UK today, and are looked after by around 60,000 foster carers. Sadly, most of these children come into care because they have suffered abuse or neglect. Foster care can transform their lives: foster families offer a positive experience of family life, help children overcome difficult issues in their past, supportthem in their education, inspire them to achieve their goals and, importantly, help them maintain relationships with their own families where possible.  
 
The session will highlight new findings from the Fostering Network’s recent survey of foster carers who combine fostering with another job. The first survey of its kind, it sheds light on who they are, who they work for, the type of support they receive from their employer, and what kind of support would help them to succeed in their job and their fostering role. Specific scenarios will also be explored to encourage greater consideration of the issues facing foster carers – including the growing number of family and friends foster carers.
 
We’ll hear from a current foster carer who’ll provide insight into the role and the challenges of balancing the demands of fostering with the responsibilities of another job. Louise Lawrence, from the fostering team at the Department for Education, will outline the government’s agenda and set out what the government isdoing to support and encourage foster carer friendly employers. Employers will also be offered a template foster carer friendly policy.This is a free event. Tickets are allocated on a first come first serve basis. To book this place, please email info@nationalinclusionweek.co.uk