'Strong focus' on foster carers amid exits

There has been a "strong focus" on improving Jersey's fostering service despite almost 50 carers deregistering or resigning over the past four years, the children's minister insists.

In response to a written question from Deputy Hilary Jeune, Richard Vibert said 46 carers had left the service since January 2022.

He said, due to issues raised by carers, the service had increased engagement and strengthened its retention strategy.

"Personal reasons" were cited by 17 of the carers leaving the service since 2022, while four cited "dissatisfaction" with the service, according to Vibert.

Six carers were deregistered due to not meeting fostering standards or expectations, the minister said in his response.

Vibert said the service had "worked hard" to recruit a permanent workforce, with 80% of the staff in the fostering team now in permanent roles.

He said this team were working to "improve consistency in the quality of relationships and support provided to carers".

The offer for foster carers in terms of financial rewards, grants and incentives was improved in 2025, and the service's training offer had also been improved, Vibert said.

He said the service had also recruited a permanent family support worker to focus on carer support groups and retention events.

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