New champion role created to strengthen foster care services across Devon

A new role has been created in Devon County Council to ensure children in care and foster carers have their voices heard, strengthening support across the county’s fostering services.

Councillor Robin Julian has been appointed as the Fostering Member Champion for the Children’s Scrutiny Committee. 

The voluntary position forms part of his duties as a committee member and does not carry any additional cost, allowance, or dedicated resources.

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The role is designed to address the council’s ongoing need for foster carers who can meet the wide-ranging needs of children in care, particularly older children, sibling groups, and those requiring long-term stability. 

By supporting carers and keeping children close to their communities, the council aims to ensure children remain near family, friends, and established support networks.

Cllr Julian, who represents Bideford West and Hartland, first served on the council from 2013 to 2017 and was re-elected this year. He previously worked as a Special Constable in Sussex. 

He said: “Foster carers give children the love and stability they deserve. My job is to make sure that their voices shape our decisions and that Devon continues to improve the support we offer. I want more people to see fostering as the rewarding role it truly is. My priority is to help Devon recruit more foster carers and ensure they feel valued and supported in the work they do.”

The appointment followed recommendations from the Committee’s Fostering Task Group earlier this year. 

After reviewing the group’s findings in March 2025, the Children’s Scrutiny Committee resolved to recommend the creation of a Fostering Member Champion, which was confirmed in September and formally appointed at the November meeting to maintain focus and accountability.

Councillor Frank Biederman, Chair of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee, said: “I am delighted that Robin has agreed to take on this important role. Fostering is central to the lives of many children in Devon, and having a dedicated Champion ensures that their needs remain at the forefront of our work. Robin’s commitment will help us strengthen scrutiny and drive positive change for families and carers across the county.”

Devon County Council currently has 251 registered fostering households. 

The Fostering Member Champion will work closely with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, the Corporate Parenting Panel, and senior managers to ensure fostering services are effectively scrutinised and the voices of children in care and foster carers are heard.

The creation of the champion role complements a major £2 million investment in Devon’s fostering services approved by the council cabinet in November 2025. 

From April 2026, foster carers will benefit from improved fees and allowances, including tiered carer fees based on children’s age and complexity of need, and child allowances aligned with the Department for Education’s National Minimum Allowance.

Other support measures include emergency rota services, short-break schemes for children with disabilities, supported lodgings, and enhanced payments for carers supporting children with higher needs.

The funding follows a consultation with foster carers in July 2025 and comes after councillors in June backed an annual council tax relief scheme for foster carers. 

The investment aims to address a backdrop of more carers leaving than joining and to improve support for those who felt undervalued, reflecting a national trend where the number of fostering households has dropped by up to a third since 2020.