A foster carer has shared her story fostering in Lincolnshire, where the council has announced a shortage of people in the field.

Helen Eedle, 43, has been fostering for 21 years in Alvingham, Lincolnshire with her husband, John. They have supported around 140 children and has seen the foster care system in Lincolnshire evolve through the years.

She said: “I grew up with fostering being quite a big part of my life because my auntie used to foster, and some of my best friends at church were fostered.”

After expressing interest in fostering, the couple received a phone call from the council, asking for them to care for siblings.

Helen is one of the few foster carers in Lincolnshire, where a deficit has been announced by the council. According to the latest Fostering Annual Report, at the end of March 2023, there were 288 foster carer households currently registered.

When asked about the deficit, Helen said: “I think a lot of it is down to the financial climate. But a lot of other regions are offering things like, if you’re having a room for fostering then you don’t have to pay council tax or free bus passes.”

According to the Lincolnshire County Council, payments for foster carers see an average of £181.29 per week.

However, in a cost-of-living crisis, this might not be enough for everyone.

“In the climate we’re in, not many people have a spare bedroom. It’s a big commitment and I know a lot of foster carers find the summer holidays very hard.

“If you imagine how much it costs just to take your own family on holiday, and then they have extra children to find childcare for over the summer holidays, it’s another financial expectation upon yourself.”

However, Helen calls fostering rewarding: “it’s just really awesome really to see how the kids are growing, how they’re progressing and how they’re becoming their own little character and seeing that develop. It’s just lovely.”

Ali Williams, another foster carer in Lincolnshire agrees: “When you have that week when you introduce that forever family to them, it’s so amazing.”

By Kara Joubert