KCC backs new nationwide campaign for more foster carers

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A young boy sits on a bed looking at a running shoe. A woman sits beside him.

IMAGE: A scene from The Run, which tells the emotional story of Tom's fostering journey.

Foster carers can transform lives - and greater numbers are urgently needed in Kent and elsewhere to give children and young people a safe, loving and stable home.  

That’s the message of a powerful new short film from over 90 councils in the UK, including Kent County Council (KCC).

Premiered around the country today - including at Ashford Cinema, Elwick Place - 'The Run' is the latest project supported by a growing partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote fostering for your local authority.

Christine Palmer is smiling for his headshot photo in front of the county hall steps

“Nationally all local authority services are under pressure like never before and we all urgently need more foster carers”

Chris Palmer Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services

Chris Palmer, KCC Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said: "'The Run' has given our Kent Fostering service a brilliant, emotional film to promote the lifelong impact fostering can have, and the rewards it brings.

“Like every council, KCC is committed to giving the vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive - and for many this is best achieved within a foster family.

“Nationally all local authority services are under pressure like never before and we all urgently need more foster carers. By working together we can produce really inspiring, high-quality films to increase the chances of making our voices heard and encouraging more foster carers to come forward and foster for their local authority.”

A young boy sitting on the edge of a bed holding a new trainer

IMAGE: Over 90 councils and children's trusts joined together to help back The Run project and bring Tom's story to the big screen and social media.

Produced by award-winning ReelTwentyFive and project managed by foster carer recruiter CAN Digital, 'The Run' focuses on Tom.

It contrasts the 11-year-old’s need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry - with running as a sport.

Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered – not even having PE kit for school – he’s good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.

It’s Tom’s chance to shine. Can Tom win his race? On the track and in his life?

The Run project director Rachel Brown said the initiative "grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources.

“By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to shout. I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.

"'The Run' won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”

'The Run' is free to watch on KCC’s YouTube channel

Follow #KentFostering and #FosteringCommunities on social media and help share the new fostering film using the #TheRunFostering hashtag.

If you’re inspired by Tom’s journey and would like to find out more about becoming a Kent County Council foster carer, including financial benefits, training, career progression and holiday entitlement: