Wakefield Council films challenge myths about fostering teenagers

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Wakefield Council has released a new video series which challenges misconceptions about fostering teenagers.

“Teenagers in care have so much potential. They just need the right support to thrive. Fostering a young person can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. We’re looking for people who can offer stability, encouragement and a loving home. If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to take that first step.”

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

The videos aim to encourage more people to consider offering a stable, loving home to a young person. The short films explore common concerns about fostering older children and were brought to life by talented students from Wakefield College, in collaboration with Empath Theatre.

While the stories are fictional, they are inspired by real experiences of foster carers and care-experienced young people. Older children in care are particularly vulnerable. Nearly 1 in 5 children aged 12+ experience at least two moves within a year, which can compound feelings of instability and isolation. Fostering teenagers offers a chance to make a lasting difference, providing mentorship, routine, and emotional support during a critical stage of development.

In Wakefield, teenagers now make up over 40% of our looked after children. Due to a shortage of local foster carers, 126 teenagers are placed outside the district, away from their schools, communities and support networks.

Despite these challenges, foster care can make a real difference, children placed in foster homes show stronger school attendance and better outcomes. For example, among 12–15-year-olds in foster care whose attendance data is available, 57 out of 84 had 90% or more attendance, and 70 out of 84 attended school at least half the time.

As part of its commitment to improving outcomes for children in care, Wakefield Council has also invested in a Fostering Hub Home. A first-of-its-kind residential home that helps teenagers build relationships with foster carers before moving into long-term placements. By prioritising stability and connection from the outset, the Hub Home is designed to improve matching, reduce placement breakdowns, and offer wraparound support for both carers and young people. It’s a bold step in reshaping fostering for teenagers and reflects Wakefield’s leadership in compassionate, child-centred care.

Anyone interested in fostering is encouraged to visit http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/fostering

You can watch all the videos at Fostering - Inspire Their Future - YouTube