New BBC documentary to showcase fostering in Dorset

A new national BBC series is putting the spotlight on foster carers in Dorset, at a time when more vulnerable children than ever need a loving home.

BBC Documentaries has worked closely with Dorset County Council over the past 18 months to create the series ‘Protecting Our Foster Kids’, which begins on BBC Two this Sunday 7 June.

Each episode looks at real-life stories of children placed with foster families and the issues faced by all involved – not only the children and their carers but also birth parents, social workers and, in some cases, the foster carers’ own children.

In particular, the programmes take an unflinching and often very moving look at the role played by foster carers – people who offer to take in children in difficult circumstances and provide them with desperately-needed love, stability and security.

Dorset’s main issue, as in other areas, is finding people to care for older children. Half of the children waiting for foster placements in the county are aged 11-plus and we have a shortage of carers for the age 5-9 bracket. There may be challenges involved for carers but, as the series shows, there are tremendous rewards as well.

It is currently national Fostering Fortnight (1-14 June), when extra efforts are made to recruit carers. Sara Tough, director of children’s services at Dorset County Council, said: “In agreeing to co-operate with this documentary, the welfare of the children was our paramount concern and we worked closely with the programme makers to make sure there were no negative impacts.

“We felt it was a great opportunity to show the fantastic work our foster carers do, at a time when demand is greater than ever. In the last 12 months we have seen a significant increase in the amount of children coming into care, including more sibling groups.

“We urgently need more foster carers to enable those children to live in a safe environment while being able to stay close to their friends, family and school.”

Cllr Toni Coombs, the county council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Foster carers can play a hugely important role, helping children through a difficult time in their lives. They make a real difference and, while fostering can be challenging at times, it is also incredibly fulfilling.

“I think the new BBC series really captures that, and I hope it encourages many more people to come forward as potential foster carers.”

The first episode of ‘Protecting Our Foster Kids’ will be shown on BBC2 at 10pm, this Sunday.