Long-Serving Leeds Foster Carer Calls for More to Join

Experienced foster carer highlights ongoing need for carers in Leeds

Marie Procter, a foster carer with Leeds City Council for 35 years, has appealed for more people to consider fostering, emphasising the positive impact it can have on children’s lives. Having cared for over 100 children throughout her career, Marie is one of the city’s longest-serving foster carers and continues to provide a home for young people in need.

Current fostering situation in Leeds

Leeds City Council’s fostering service, Foster4Leeds, currently has 381 registered foster carer households. However, the latest fostering annual report for 2024/25 reveals there are 1,498 looked after children in the city, underlining the urgent requirement for more foster carers. The report highlights the importance of maintaining a diverse and strong group of carers to ensure children can remain in family environments close to their communities.

About Marie Procter’s fostering journey

• Marie began fostering at age 23, initially caring for children on remand awaiting youth court outcomes.
• After 18 years, she moved into mainstream fostering, primarily caring for teenagers.
• She currently fosters four young adults aged between 13 and 21, including one who has lived with her since age five.
• Marie is also chair of the Leeds Foster Carer Association and acts as a hub home carer for a local network of foster families.

Marie described fostering as a rewarding role, stating that despite challenges, it provides children with a safe and stable environment. She encouraged anyone considering fostering to take the next step, noting that there are various types of fostering that can suit different lifestyles.

Support and initiatives to recruit foster carers

The annual report outlines several initiatives aimed at improving support for foster carers and increasing recruitment, including:

• Providing initial information packs to prospective carers to simplify the enquiry process.
• Collaborating with Child Friendly Leeds and local leisure businesses to enhance opportunities for foster families.
• Introducing support groups for newly approved and prospective foster carers.
• Launching a foster carer ‘reconnections’ role to assist children with complex needs.
• Recruiting a dedicated fostering panel team manager to speed up decision-making processes.

Inspection and council response

Foster4Leeds carers were praised in the July 2025 Ofsted inspection of Leeds City Council’s children’s services for providing a “high standard of care” and receiving “excellent support.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families, acknowledged the national shortage of foster carers but reaffirmed the council’s commitment to providing safe family placements for vulnerable children. She noted an increase in expressions of interest in fostering during the first quarter of 2025 compared to previous years.

She added: “Children do their best living in family settings and it is our ambition that all children living in fostering families do so within the city of Leeds.”

How to find out more

Anyone over the age of 21 with a spare room and time to care for a child can apply to become a foster carer. Applications are welcomed regardless of ethnic background, religion, sexuality, employment status, marital status, or home ownership.

For further information on fostering in Leeds, visit Foster4Leeds.

The annual fostering report discussed by the executive board on 11 February 2026 is available at Leeds City Council democracy site (item 10).