With a countrywide shortage of foster carers, now is the time to make a New Year’s Resolution that won’t only change your life, but will change the life of a child too.
With over 70,000 children in care in England, Diagrama fostering agency is asking people to consider making an exceptionally thoughtful New Year’s resolution to pledge to take the first steps towards a rewarding career in foster care.

Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama, said:

“Fostering is an opportunity to change a life. If you do it, you offer safety and security to a young person who perhaps has never known those things. But it’s not just that – foster carers also bring fun and guidance into the lives of the children in their care. It’s a tremendous task to take on. I’ve met so many people from a host of different backgrounds who make it look easy. It’s an amazing gift to be able to give.”

Diagrama which places children with foster carers in South London, Kent, Sussex, and Surrey recently asked some of its foster carers what they most valued about fostering with Diagrama:

Beth Earnshaw, who is single, works full time and lives with her parents said:

“Diagrama was willing to accept me as a potential foster carer even though my situation was unusual and they give me all the support I need to make it work. Fostering is both challenging and rewarding but the boy currently in my care makes it so enjoyable as he is so funny. I love being around children, not only at work as a teaching assistant, but at home too and seeing him feeling safe and secure is the most wonderful gift any foster carer could ask for.”

With Diagrama being small enough to offer a personalised fostering experience while benefitting from the expertise and security that comes with being part of the larger Diagrama charitable foundation foster carer Katie Pillay said that she valued, ‘The generous support of the management and the social workers’.

Chris Kimmance, who fosters with his wife Nic said:

“Nic and I chose to foster with Diagrama so that we could make a difference. Inviting another child into your home and allowing them to find some stability, come alive and begin to really thrive is the best family decision we have made, and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”

Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama, continued:

“It’s more challenging than it has ever been to find foster carers, especially now with the cost-of-living crisis making it very tough for everyone. Fostering isn’t going to make carers millions of pounds but foster carers primary motivator isn’t the money. It’s a 365-day-a-year job and there isn’t a limitless supply of people who can do it well. The best foster carers are absolutely incredible people. The role goes above and beyond normal parenting and we want to work with extra special people it is important to remember that you don’t have to be a parent to be a foster parent and you can be single or married, of any faith or ethnicity or age.”

If you decide your New Year’s Resolution will be to become a foster carer then take the first step by talking to the Diagrama team on 0800 802 1910, contact them by emailing fostering@diagrama.org or visiting: www.diagramafostering.org.uk.