One in five foster children in Slough and the Royal Borough had to move home at least twice in 12 months, new figures have revealed.

Figures obtained by the charity Action for Children via a series of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests have uncovered that 20.3% of foster children in Slough and 20.2% in the Royal Borough had to move into new foster care homes at least twice between April 2014 and March 2015.

This does, however, compare favourably to the UK average which stood at 24.7% and the South East figure of 23.7%.

According to the FoI request from Slough Borough Council, between April 2014 and March 2015, of a total of 192 children in foster care, 34 had at least three placements. The highest number of placements in that period was six with two children moving home five times.

Jackie Pape, acting head of service placements and resources, said: “While Slough has a relatively low rate of moves compared with the national average, this news story highlights the fact that we simply do not have enough foster carers for Slough’s children and young people.

"We work tirelessly to ensure the best family is found for each and every child so the placement when a child is in care stands the strongest chance of succeeding. If we had more local people willing to be life changers for children, we would hopefully minimise the number of moves any child or young person would have to make.”

The council is also holding a fostering information session on Wednesday at 7pm at St Martin’s Place.

It was a broadly similar story in the Royal Borough but with smaller number as, in the same time period, of a total of 99 children in foster care, 15 had at least three placements. The highest number of placements in that period was also six with again two foster children moving home five times.

Action for Children says children and young people who regularly move between foster homes are more likely to have poor social skills, reduced educational outcomes and limited future employment prospects and so impacting on their mental health and exacerbating any existing behavioural and emotional issues.

John Downing, director of children’s placement at Action for Children, said: “Too many children in care are still facing instability in their lives. That’s why we urgently need more dedicated foster carers to help children and young people overcome trauma by helping them to love and trust again, feel safe, rebuild their sense of worth and belonging.”

Foster carers can own or rent their home, be single, cohabiting or married, male or female or in a heterosexual or same sex relationship. The only stipulation for carers is they must have a spare room.

If you would like to find out more about being a foster carer in Slough, go to www.facebook.com/fosterforslough or the website: www.scstrust.co.uk or call 01753 875133 For more information about being a foster carer in the Royal Borough go to www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/social_fars_fostering.htm