Renowned photographer who has snapped Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner turns lens to celebrate the nation’s foster parents

One of the world’s most renowned photographers – who has photographed Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner and the late Queen – turns his lens to celebrate the nation’s foster parents.

The latest set of portraits by British artist Rankin are of 17 foster parents that represent the ‘Faces of Fostering’.

The campaign aims to reveal the diversity that exists in fostering and call on more people to step forward, after research found 44 per cent of adults believe they wouldn’t be eligible to foster.

It comes after the National Fostering Group have warned the “Tracy Beaker effect” has given people the wrong impression of what the process looks like.

As 73 per cent said TV programmes, including fictional shows such as Tracy Beaker, have shaped their understanding of fostering.

Rankin said: “This photo shoot was a celebration of diversity, compassion, and the extraordinary individuals who open their hearts to foster care.

“It was a joy to capture the essence of people from all walks of life, each sharing a common desire to make a difference in a child’s life.”

The research, of 2,005 adults, found that 18 per cent think being single could be a barrier to becoming a foster parent.

While 35 per cent fear they’re too old, with 72 per cent of over-55s wrongly believing they have aged out.

Four in 10 (44 per cent) of those polled believe they wouldn’t be eligible to foster, rising to 49 per cent among those who identify as being either LGBTQ+, disabled, single, semi-skilled and unskilled, or 55+.

The photographs include a portrait of Carole and John McIntyre, both aged 73, who have been fostering for the last thirteen years.

In that time, the pair have provided care for more than 20 children, from a range of different backgrounds and of various ages.

They said: “People often assume that because of our age we’d be too old to look after children and foster.

“But on the contrary, we’ve found that fostering has given us a new sense of purpose and has enriched our post-retirement lives.”

Steve Christie, CEO of National Fostering Group, said: “What these striking images show is that there’s no such thing as a typical foster carer.

“Fostering really is for everyone, regardless of background, relationship status or circumstance.

“At a time when nearly 11,000 foster carers are urgently needed it’s more important than ever that anyone and everyone who thinks they might like to foster comes forward.”