Council Cabinet member's public appeal for more Swindon foster carers

It comes ahead of the Cabinet considering an updated strategy setting out how the council will ensure children in care can access safe, stable homes close to Swindon.
The council's Sufficiency Strategy 2026-2029, which will be considered by Cabinet on Thursday 8 October, outlines how the authority will meet its duty to secure sufficient accommodation and support for children in care and care experienced young people. 
Cllr Kate Tomlinson said: "Today, I'm asking people across Swindon to consider whether fostering could be right for them.
"Behind every statistic is a child who needs a safe, stable and loving home. While we have many dedicated foster carers doing an incredible job, we urgently need more people to come forward so that children who enter our care can stay close to their friends, family members, schools and the communities they know.
"Fostering is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. Whether you're single, married, working, retired, renting or own your own home, many people are surprised to learn they could be eligible to foster.
"Many people rule themselves out before finding out what's actually involved. The reality is that foster carers receive extensive training, ongoing support and become part of a wider fostering community. 
"From experienced social workers and foster carer buddies to support groups and specialist advice, people are never expected to do it alone."
"We know not everyone will be able to become a foster carer, but I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about it, even briefly, to have a conversation with our fostering team. There is no obligation, and it could be the first step towards changing a local child's life. 
"We are looking for people from all walks of life, including those who may be able to provide care on a short-term or part-time basis.”
The Sufficiency Strategy identifies fostering as a key priority and sets out plans to increase the number of approved foster carers in Swindon over the next three years.
The strategy sets a target of increasing the number of active foster carers in Swindon from 67 to 84 by 2029. During 2025/26, 447 children were looked after by the council at some point during the year, while 335 children were in care in May 2026, up from 310 the previous year.
Due to a shortage of local foster carers and suitable placements, around half of the children in the council's care live more than 20 miles from Swindon, significantly above the national average. 
The proposed updated strategy identifies fostering as one of the most effective ways of providing children with stable, family-based care while helping them stay connected to their local communities.
As part of efforts to address the challenge, the council brought together councillors and officers from across the organisation at a Fostering Summit to explore new ways of attracting and supporting foster carers. 
The summit focused on practical actions that can help raise awareness of fostering, challenge misconceptions and encourage more local people to come forward.
The summit took place alongside a new exhibition called 'Through Their Eyes' at Pattern Church, which featured artwork and creative contributions from children in care and foster carers. 
The exhibition provided an opportunity for attendees to hear directly from those with lived experience of care and fostering.
Following its launch, the Through Their Eyes exhibition will now travel to venues across Swindon over the coming months, helping to celebrate the contribution of foster carers, amplify the voices of children in care and encourage more residents to consider fostering.
People considering fostering will receive support throughout their journey, including specialist training, a dedicated fostering social worker, 24-hour support, access to experienced foster carer mentors and peer support networks. 
Foster carers also receive generous and competitive allowances to help cover the costs of caring for a child, as well as regular respite support and access to specialist services to help children overcome the challenges that they may have experienced.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can find out more by searching 'fostering' on the Swindon Borough Council website.
 

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