Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister MP Visits Foster4 Recruitment Hub

Josh MacAlister MP, the newly appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children & Families, made his first official visit as Children’s Minister to the Foster4 Cheshire and Merseyside Recruitment Hub based in Warrington this week.

Foster4 is a pioneering collaboration between nine Local Authorities in Cheshire and Merseyside: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington, and Wirral.

With over 5,000 children currently in care across the region and just over 1,200 approved local authority foster carers, the need to recruit new foster carers is more urgent than ever. The Minister saw first-hand how £2.3 million of government funding is helping Foster4 recruit new carers and enhance training and support for existing ones.

During the visit, Mr MacAlister met with foster carers, staff, and local stakeholders to hear about the challenges and successes in fostering locally. Foster carers from the newly formed Mockingbird constellations spoke positively about the impact of the investment in building stronger communities through the programme.

The Minister reiterated the critical need for more foster homes in England, aligning with the goals of his Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which includes recruiting thousands of new foster families to meet rising demand.

Launched in May 2024, the Foster4 Recruitment Hub aims to increase the number of foster carers across the region and ensure they are well-supported. More local foster carers mean fewer children need to be moved to unfamiliar areas, helping them maintain vital relationships with friends, schools, and families.

Over the past year, Foster4 has significantly improved training and therapeutic support for foster carers. Carers now have access to over 200 training courses delivered both in person and online, and the new Foster4 Therapeutic Support Service equips newly approved carers with tools to respond effectively to children’s emotional and behavioural needs.

To foster a child, you must be 21 or over and able to provide a safe, loving, and supportive home. Foster carers are needed from all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ individuals, single people, couples, homeowners, and renters.

If you’re inspired to make a difference in a child’s life, contact Foster4 by visiting foster4.co.uk or calling 0345 646 0098.