Labour MP opens up about foster care experience before issuing warning about sector - 'We don't have enough carers!'

During the sit-down interview with Gloria De Piero on GB News, Paffey, who is one of a handful of MPs to grow up in care, also opens up about his personal experiences of being fostered, and of meeting his birth mother.

Paffey, who was born in Gateshead and taken into foster care as a 10-month-old baby, later moved with his foster parents to Hampshire where they eventually adopted him.

He told the People's Channel: “The policy I most benefited from, and which has set the compass of my life up, is the fact that there were foster carers there. And that there were enough of them.

“The pressure on that system now is much greater than it was then. And we frankly don't have enough foster carers across the country.

“Every council will tell you that they struggle to place children where they know that they're going to get a stable family home.

“That's why quite often they turn to independent fostering agencies outside of the council.

"Often that means outside of the area. So, children are then pulled out of where they know, perhaps their schools, their support networks.

“If there's one thing I would say we need to do, it's ensure that we, by whatever means, have more foster carers. Be that through promotion, be that through better support or financial support.

“Foster care is the best place for those children to be, with carers, who are brilliant people up and down this country, and who open their homes to give children the safety, security and support which they need at a crucial moment in life.

“We simply haven't got enough of them, and they need that support so that they can meet the needs of children…the other thing is that bridge to adulthood and independence for a lot of our care leavers.

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“Again, I'm very lucky. I had my parents who, although they'd never been to university, supported me to be the first in our family to go. Not everyone between 16 and 18 has that.

“So actually where there's a cliff edge at the minute in lots of ways around that support. We've got to do better at helping care leavers on that journey to independence.”

Paffey also knows better than most how vital a good foster family can be.

Recounting his own experiences, the Labour MP told GB News: “I was eight when I have my first memories of it.

"The great thing is my parents were always completely honest, and I never remember being sat down and told I was fostered.

"I know of people who find out, often when they're adolescents, and it’s a massive shock. I can't imagine anything more disruptive in life. So I'm really grateful that it was always very obvious to me.”

Recalling meeting his birth mother, the Southampton Itchen MP added: “I remember meeting my birth mum when I was around ten.

"That was the first memory I have of meeting the woman who brought me into the world. It was a very strange moment and a lot for any ten year old to cope with.

"But again, everyone handled it incredibly well and they really supported me. I think I had the inevitable emotional ups and downs from that, but on the whole, you know, that was the start of a really good relationship.”

Describing how he felt about his birth mother’s decision, Paffey said: “We all know the kind of societal stigma around that, particularly in the late 70s. It was worse then than it is now. She had more than enough people probably judging that situation. I don't judge.

"And actually, you know, the things I've done since, becoming a counsellor, becoming responsible in Southampton City Council for children's services, working to ensure that actually where families need early help and support that it is there because that's what often makes a difference.

"So I certainly don't judge anyone. There are life circumstances that happen to people. And all we can do is make sure that support is there when it's needed."

Paffey paid tribute to his foster parents, who he chose to remain with after his birth mother applied to win back custody, saying: “They stepped in at a moment where I needed stability in life, and they gave me every opportunity that I've ever had. So there's no doubt in my mind at all that, that the path I've lived has been the right one.”