Buckinghamshire launches fostering appeal to local communities during Foster Care Fortnight

Buckinghamshire Council is marking Foster Care Fortnight 2026 by celebrating the vital role foster carers play in transforming the lives of children and young people across the county – and encouraging more residents to consider fostering and find out what may be involved.

Foster Care Fortnight runs from 11 to 24 May and is led nationally by The Fostering Network. This year's theme, This Is Fostering, highlights the everyday reality of fostering, the positive impact foster carers have on children's lives, and the pressures facing the fostering community, while also acting as a call for greater understanding and support.

Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, said:

"Foster Care Fortnight is a chance to thank our foster carers for the hugely positive difference they make to the lives of children and young people in Buckinghamshire. Foster carers offer stability, compassion and understanding – often during the most challenging times in a child's life.

"There are still many more children in care who would benefit from a foster home. By becoming a foster carer, you can play a vital role in helping children feel safe, valued and able to thrive."

To mark the start of the fortnight, Buckinghamshire Council hosted its annual Foster Carers' Conference on Friday 8 May, bringing together foster carers from across the county to connect, learn and celebrate the incredible work they do. This year's conference focused on Relational Repair and featured keynote speaker Dr Karen Treisman, a leading expert in trauma, adversity, loss, child protection, fostering, adoption, refugee and asylum contexts, trafficking, and attachment.

Dr Treisman shared insights into building trust, empathy and trauma‑informed care, supporting foster carers to strengthen relationships and better meet the needs of vulnerable children.

During 2025–26, Buckinghamshire Council approved a further 42 new foster carers. However, with more than 500 looked after children and young people in Buckinghamshire, the council is urging more residents to explore whether fostering could be right for them.

Local foster carers describe fostering as seeing "a home full of life" and hearing the laughter that comes with helping to shape a brighter future. They speak of fostering as opening their hearts and homes to our children, providing stable and loving environments where children learn they are valued, and as a journey filled with love, learning and healing – challenging at times, but ultimately one of the most rewarding and worthwhile things they have ever done.

Buckinghamshire Council is keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in fostering, including those able to provide therapeutic foster care to specialist placements, looking after children and young people with more complex needs. Find out more.

The council is also encouraging local businesses and organisations to become Fostering Friendly by pledging practical support for foster families, such as flexible working, supportive HR policies, help with local events or special offers. More information is available at: fostering.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fostering-friendly

Anyone interested in fostering can learn more about joining the Foster with Bucks community, book a place at an information event, or sign up for updates at: fostering.buckinghamshire.gov.uk