Joe Swash wants to foster children with his wife Stacey Solomon.
Joe Swash wants to foster children with Stacey Solomon
The TV presenter - who will host ‘Joe Swash: Teens In Care’, which sees him investigate England’s children’s care system – was so moved by the “heart breaking” situation it has motivated him to consider being a foster parent in the future.
The ex-‘EastEnders’ star- who has Rex, four, Rose, 21 months, and four-month-old Belle, with wife Stacey, while he is also dad to 15-year-old Harry from a previous relationship – will carry out his plans once his younger offspring have grown up.
He is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “When the kids are old enough, we’ll think about fostering.
“We love kids and Stacey is on the same page as me. She watched my mum’s journey, she’s watched Daniel’s journey. She’s been a massive support.”
Meeting young people in care has spurred Joe to get involved, especially as his own mother Kiffy has been a foster carer for over a decade.
Joe added: “I wanted to do more for them.
“There’s not much I can do apart from shining a light on the situation and that was a real struggle. I just wanted to take them all home with me, I just wanted to parent them, but I couldn’t, which was sad.
“Anyone who met these teenagers would come away and feel guilty and feel like they’ve let them down in some way."
Joe has called for the government to invest money in the care system, following an Independent Review Of Children’s Social Care in England.
He says: "The review suggests that if we invest £2.6billion now it will completely transform the care system and save us billions down the line.
"But the Government has said they’re putting in £200m. What’s the point of a review if you’re not going to do what it recommends? It is frustrating."
'Joe Swash: Teens In Care' airs on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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