The Fitzgerald Foundation: supporting young people leaving foster care

We’re excited to launch The Fitzgerald Foundation, and here Fitzgerald Fostering Director and Foundation Chair Jonathan Bruce explains more.

Foster care provides a safe environment for children who need it most, offering them the opportunity to grow in loving and supportive homes. But for many young adults leaving foster care, independence can be an overwhelming and isolating experience.

According to children’s charity, Barnardo’s, a third of all young people leaving care end up on the streets within two years and around 35% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training.

These stark statistics highlight the critical gap in support for those who exit the care system at the age of 18, leaving them vulnerable to a range of challenges including unemployment, homelessness and mental health struggles. Without a reliable family safety net that others might take for granted, many foster care leavers struggle to navigate the complexities of adulthood.

The Fitzgerald Foundation was born from a deep understanding of the difficulties faced by young adults leaving foster care; while many will have received outstanding care until they are 18, support beyond can be limited and hugely underfunded.  It’s heartbreaking to think that after all the support our carers provide to children, these young people might fall at the first hurdle when they leave as adults.

The Foundation is driven by a simple but powerful vision: to ensure that young adults who have spent time in foster care through Fitzgerald Fostering have access to the same opportunities as their peers and to help them step confidently into the next phase of their lives.

A range of practical and financial support
The Fitzgerald Foundation is a registered charity offering a variety of support services designed to meet the immediate and practical needs of young people transitioning out of foster care.

This could include helping to cover the cost of items such as a new suit for a job interview, funding for specialised training courses to improve employability, or even help with transport or accommodation expenses during an interview process.

For many young adults, securing stable housing is a top priority, and the Foundation will also assist with rental deposits, ensuring that young people can access safe and affordable accommodation as they begin their independent lives.

The Fitzgerald Foundation’s broader impact
While the charity’s initial focus will be on young adults leaving the homes of Fitzgerald Fostering carers, the Foundation will also explore opportunities to collaborate with other like-minded charities to help more youngsters at this critical juncture in their lives.

Being a foster child shouldn’t hinder a person’s possibilities to thrive.  At Fitzgerald Fostering, we are fully committed to being with our foster carers and their foster children all the way.

About The Fitzgerald Foundation
The Fitzgerald Foundation is a registered charity funded by Fitzgerald Fostering along with external fundraising initiatives.

Applications for grants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The assessment panel, chaired by Jonathan Bruce, will include Fitzgerald Fostering’s Co-Founders, Lesley Fitzgerald and James Townend as well as independent experts.  Read more about the foundation

References: Barnardo’s. (2022). Care Leavers: The Silent Crisis. Barnardo’s Report