Woman 'truly grateful' for foster carer support

A woman who spent time in foster care has said she was able to "flourish and grow" thanks to the people who looked after her.

Kayleigh Leonard works for Kent County Council's Virtual School Kent, which supports young people in the care system.

She said she was "truly grateful for everything" her foster carers had done "because without them I wouldn't be where I am now, doing the job I do".

The local authority is encouraging people to register to become foster carers as "too many children are still waiting" for a family.

Leonard was initially "very shy" after entering the care system, but said her foster carers helped her "grow into the person I am today".

She said an occasion her carers had advocated for further support at school on her behalf was "one of the first times in my life that someone truly stood up for me and showed they genuinely cared".

Leonard said: "They encouraged me to believe in myself and supported me every step of the way.

"They showed me that I had a voice and how to use it to benefit not only myself but other young people."

In England, over 56,000 children were living with foster families as of the beginning of April 2024, according to Kent County Council

Sarah Thomas, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said many foster carers are leaving leaving, while the number of children who are entering care across the UK is rising.

She added: "There's no such thing as a 'typical' foster carer. They come from different backgrounds and it's this diversity that brings the fostering community together to help children feel safe, supported and able to thrive."

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