For Councillor Justin Bowen, Worcestershire’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, improving the county’s fostering service isn’t just part of the job – it’s personal.
With more than 15 years’ experience working with vulnerable children and families, and his own experience of respite foster care as a child, Justin understands first-hand the difference a supportive foster family can make.
Earlier this year, he and his partner were also approved as foster carers.
“I know how it feels to be that child who just needs stability – and I also know what it means to be ready to open your home to a young person who needs it”, Justin said.
“Foster carers are at the heart of everything we do in children’s services. They make an enormous difference, not just to individual children, but to our whole community. That’s why our Reform administration is investing in the support they need and deserve.”
Since being appointed five months ago, Councillor Bowen has led a review of Worcestershire’s fostering service to ensure that foster carers are properly valued, supported, and equipped to provide safe, stable homes for local children.
As part of this transformation, the council has increased fostering payments by up to 7.25%, recognising the crucial role foster carers play; created specialist support teams to provide practical and emotional help to carers; expanded the recruitment and assessment team to improve the experience for new applicants.
These improvements are designed to make Worcestershire Fostering the natural home for foster carers across the county - ensuring that children can grow up closer to their families, schools, and communities.
“When I came into this role, it was clear that our foster carers needed more support,” Justin explained.
“We’ve listened to them, and we’re making fostering central to how we care for children in Worcestershire. This is about giving every child the chance to grow up in a loving family home - and ensuring our carers have the backing they need to make that possible.”
With more children than ever needing safe, stable homes - especially teenagers and sibling groups - Worcestershire Fostering is encouraging more local people to consider becoming foster carers.
“There’s no single type of foster carer,” Justin added. “Whether you’re single, part of a couple, working, or retired, what matters most is that you can offer care, understanding, and a sense of belonging. We’re rebuilding the support structure around you to make sure you can succeed.”
The transformation of Worcestershire’s fostering service is a key priority for the county’s Reform administration, underlining its commitment to investing in local families and communities.
“This is just the beginning,” said Justin. “We’re on a journey to make sure every child in Worcestershire has a place they can call home.”
To find out more about fostering in Worcestershire, visit the dedicated Fostering pages of our website.
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