Jersey’s fostering service is banking on a radical new community model to reverse a decline in carer numbers and tackle the isolation driving families away.
Dubbed “The Hive”, the new scheme is inspired by the UK’s Mockingbird model and aims to replace what many carers describe as a lonely, high-pressure role with a shared, extended-family approach.
It comes as new data shows that the number of approved foster carers at the start of the year fell from 40 in 2022 to just 31 in 2026.
Over the same period, 46 carers had either resigned or been de-registered.
Against that backdrop, the government is preparing to launch The Hive between July and September this year.
Under the plans, a central “hub” home will support a cluster of “satellite” foster homes, creating what the service describes as a “community-based support system for foster carers and children”.
Children’s Minister Richard Vibert said the aim is to address “isolation, emotional strain, and lack of support” and to “shift perceptions of fostering from a solitary, high-pressure role to a shared, community-supported experience”.
The government hopes to recruit five families to establish one fully operational Hive within 12 months.
In 2022, 13 carers left the service, compared with eight new approvals. In 2025, only two new carers were approved, while eight left. So far in 2026, there have been no new approvals.
A “myth busting” campaign last March generated 25 enquiries, six of which were directly attributed to the campaign. However, just one family progressed to a full fostering assessment.
Of the 25 enquiries, 14 withdrew for personal reasons, one was closed due to unsuitable accommodation, and nine remain active.
Constable Vibert said it is “difficult to put a value for money target against a fostering campaign”, arguing that “every foster carer who is recruited will add huge value” by offering a safe and stable home.
The data also reveals why carers are walking away. Since January 2022, 17 left for personal or health reasons, while four withdrew citing dissatisfaction with service, support or financial arrangements. Six were de-registered for failing to meet required standards.
In response, the service says it has strengthened its retention strategy, improved financial rewards and training, recruited a permanent family support worker, and increased its permanent workforce to 80% to improve consistency.
“There has been a strong focus on improving the service offered to foster carers in response to the issues raised by them,” the minister said.
