We are delighted that the Government has decided not to proceed with plans to remove fostering panels, following our work with foster carers and partner organisations to raise concerns about the initial proposals.
This was confirmed in the Department for Education’s response to the consultation and call for evidence launched alongside the Fostering Action Plan in February 2026, Renewing Fostering: Homes for 10,000 More Children. The consultation included a range of proposals aimed at strengthening the fostering system, as well as a call for evidence on key issues affecting foster carers and children. The consultation received a total of 659 responses, 30% of these were from current foster carers, 20% fostering panel members and 18% local authority staff.
Among the proposals was the removal of fostering panels from the initial assessment and first-year review. However, following extensive feedback from our foster carer members, joint work with a coalition of organisations that wrote to the Children’s Minister to voice our concerns, and 67% of respondents to the consultation agreeing or strongly agreeing that panels provide value, the Government has decided not to proceed with the proposal.
You can read the joint letter here.
In its response, the Government recognised the valuable role that independent, multi-agency scrutiny and oversight play in safeguarding children and young people which we raised.
The consultation also included proposals to improve support for foster carers during the allegations process which we welcome, while the call for evidence sought views on issues such as financial transparency and the introduction of a national foster carer register.
We’re encouraged by the commitment to strengthen national fostering standards, helping to ensure that allegations are handled in a more timely, proportionate and transparent way. This includes access to independent advocacy and continued financial support for foster carers during investigations.
We are pleased that, after working closely with our members to gather and share their experiences and perspectives, many of their views have been reflected in the Government’s plans for the future of fostering.
A huge thank you to our foster carer and fostering service members who took the time to share their views throughout the consultation. Your feedback made a real difference, helping to secure these positive outcomes and shape the future direction of fostering policy.
Below is a summary of the Government response and of responses to the consultation.
The Government response to the consultation
Proposal 1: Amending the role of fostering panels and strengthening quality assurance standards within the assessment process
The Government has confirmed that it will not proceed with its proposal to remove panels for initial assessment and review.
This decision follows 67% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with the question that panels provide value that is proportionate to the time and resources required to operate them.
Responses outlined that removing panels would remove independent oversight and decrease the diversity of views on assessments, both of which are essential for quality assurance and safeguarding. Respondents also pointed out that delays in the approval process are more commonly linked to other elements, such as DBS and medical checks, rather than the panel process itself.
Some concerns were raised around how panels currently operate. These included perceptions that panels can be intimidating for foster carers and that, in some cases, they duplicate aspects of existing assessment. There was, however, broad acknowledgment that panels could be made more efficient through streamlining and improved practice.
In response, the Government will focus on improving panels through non-legislative means. This will include efforts to improve timeliness, quality and practice. New national fostering standards and guidance, due to be published later this year, will begin to set out what good panel practice looks like.
The Government will also look into the medical check process to understand what is causing the delays and how the process can be made more efficient and robust. The advised approach will be shared in summer 2026.
Proposal 2: Improving the handling of allegations of abuse and standards of care concerns against foster carers
The Government has committed to strengthening national fostering standards and guidance to ensure that allegations are handled in a more timely, proportionate, and transparent way.
These improvements aim to provide consistent support for both children and foster carers throughout the process, including access to independent advocacy and continued financial support for carers during investigations.
In the consultation, 74% of respondents agreed with proposals to enhance standards and guidance to better support those involved in allegations, while 75% supported measures to make the process fairer and more transparent.
Responses highlighted a clear and concerning consensus - current allegations processes are among the most challenging and distressing aspects of fostering. Foster carers described the significant emotional, financial, and practical toll these experiences can take. Many also noted that how allegations are handled can influence their decision to continue fostering. A lack of clarity in processes, alongside poor handling in some cases, has contributed to a culture of fear, leading to defensive practice and differential treatment of children in care.
While there was agreement that all allegations must be taken seriously, respondents emphasised the need for a more balanced and evidence-based approach. This includes clearer thresholds to distinguish between minor concerns and serious safeguarding issues, as well as much greater consistency in how allegations are managed across the country.
You can read the full government response here.
The Governments response to the call for evidence
Financial transparency
The Government expressed support for greater financial transparency, recognising its potential to improve fairness, trust and decision making across the system.
Respondents raised that financial transparency could drive fairness and consistency across services, increase accountability and help carers with financial planning. However, concerns were raised that greater transparency may simply expose existing inequalities without addressing them, disrupt the market with increased competition and movement of carers, and place additional financial pressure on local authorities. There was also a clear message that financial transparency alone will not address underlying variation in payments.
In light of this, rather than introducing new requirements immediately, the Government plans to undertake further work to explore how clearer and more consistent financial information can be encouraged.
Although we are disappointed that there is no proposal to increase financial support, we are pleased to see the commitment to work with the sector to produce clearer national guidance to improve consistency for both allowances and fees.
National foster carer resister
The Government has acknowledged strong support for introducing a national foster carer register, with around 60% of respondents agreeing or strong agreeing with its introduction.
Respondents highlighted the potential benefits a register could bring. These include improving matching, simplifying transfer between agencies, and strengthening safeguarding and accountability. However, there were some concerns around data privacy and the administrative burden involved in maintaining such a register.
Respondents were also clear about the features they would want to see. The key priorities include safeguarding information such as DBS checks and allegation oversight, real-time availability and capacity tracking. Detailed foster carer profiles, including information on experience and training, were also seen as essential to making the register effective.
While the Government has not yet made a final decision on whether to introduce a national register, it has committed to continuing to explore its potential role as part of wider fostering reforms.
We are pleased to see that the majority of respondents agreed with introducing a national foster carer register, a development that we have long called for. We look forward to working with the Government as they continue to consider the scope of a register.
Amending the fostering limit
The Government confirmed it will be keeping the three-child limit but will be considering allowing carer specific exemptions to help increase flexibility, reduce administrative burdens and support stability, particularly for siblings.
DBS checks and vetting of prospective foster carers
While respondents broadly supported the use of DBS checks and the use of soft intelligence to strengthen risk assessments, there were concerns around the lack of consistency between services and the delays and inefficiencies in the DBS process.
The Government have said it will work with the Home Office to better understand issues around timeliness and consistency.
Allegations and standards of care
There were mixed reviews from respondents around whether services currently make the right decision on whether an investigation into a foster carer is required with only 27% agreeing or strongly agreeing. However, there were strong views that incidents should only be treated as formal allegations when the section 47 threshold is met, 69% agreed or strongly agreed.
Through the updated national fostering standards and guidance, the government will strengthen clarity and consistency in how concerns are handled.
Innovation in foster care
Department for Education is investing £12.4 million in the testing of innovative models of foster care, actively encouraging and supporting innovation in the sector.
Respondents highlighted that regulations and guidance currently limit innovation pointing to rigid regulations and excessive paperwork. Others suggested there is a wider issue with risk aversion and blame culture discourages innovation. Peer support models such as Mockingbird were endorsed by respondents with retention benefits reported.
DfE will also update national fostering standards to reduce unnecessary barriers and encourage more flexible, child-centred practice.
Removing barriers for kinship care
The government acknowledged barriers and inconsistency in current practice raised by respondents. Such as the lack of flexibility in the assessment process, the reliance on mainstream fostering frameworks that do not reflect the nature of kinship care, financial pressures and variation in support and entitlements across services.
However, the government has said it will take forward improvements through updated guidance and standards but will wait for the Law Commission’s review to complete before making wider legislative changes.
You can read the full response here.
