Charities warn coronavirus is a "looming crisis" for foster care in Sheffield

Children’s charities say England’s care system will be placed under great strain as a result of measures to deal with Covid-19, with some families already pushed to “breaking point”.

Department for Education figures show there were 627 looked-after children – those placed under the care of the council – in Sheffield in 2018-19.

There are 78,000 children looked after by local authorities across England – a rise of 4 per cent on 2017-18.

The majority of these go into foster care with the Independent Foster Carers Alliance warning the sector faces a ‘looming crisis’ as the coronavirus begins to place a strain on foster families.

Jane Collins, charity director, said she fears reduced support for families will mean even more children needing new homes, while school closures have added to the strain on foster families caring for children with disabilities, who can no longer attend.

She said: "The current unprecedented crisis is placing a massive strain on foster carers.

"Foster carers with children with complex medical needs and disabilities are already at breaking point without respite provision and school to give them needed time to recharge their batteries.”

She said the coronavirus outbreak could also further the anxiety of children in care, causing ‘very challenging behaviour’ and the breakdown of many placements.

Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, said there would be significant knock-on effects on children’s social care, which was already under heavy pressure.

She said: “While it is hard, and unwise to predict at this stage, it would also be unwise to rule out the possibility that the number of vulnerable children needing care won’t increase and add strain on a system whose staff are facing the exact same health threat we all are.”

Figures show one in every 189 children in Sheffield are looked after, compared with one in 154 across England.

Almost two-thirds of looked after children in England in 2018-19 were placed into care as a result of, or because they were at risk of abuse or neglect.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said schools are remaining open to children in foster care to help protect them.

She said: “Foster carers play a vital role in the lives of looked-after children. We are urgently addressing the challenges that they are facing during these uncertain times and working to get more emergency foster carers approved swiftly to help alleviate pressures on the system.”

Coun Jackie Drayton, Sheffield Council cabinet member for children, families and young people, said: "Coronavirus presents a significant challenge for children's social care across the country.

“Here in Sheffield we have put measures in place to ensure all children and young people in our care are safe and well cared for during this difficult period.

“We have an excellent and skilled pool of carers across the city, and they, alongside our dedicated team in children’s services, have risen to this challenge and together we are committed to continue caring for and keeping those children and young people safe.

"As always, all foster carers and other carers have our full support during this difficult time and we have adapted our ways of working in line with current restrictions.

“We also, as always, continue to recruit new foster carers and adoptive parents that might consider looking after children and young people in care whenever needed.

"We would love to hear from anyone interested in becoming a foster carer and will support you though this process every step of the way.”

Visit sheffield.gov.uk/fostering for more information

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