Today’s Spring Statement announced a £25 million investment in the fostering system. While details remain limited, it has been confirmed that part of this funding will go toward recruiting 400 new fostering households. Any additional investment in foster care is welcome, but this falls short of addressing the deep-rooted challenges faced by foster carers.
The Fostering Network calculates an additional 5,000 fostering households are needed across the UK to ensure every child and young person can be placed in a home that meets their needs. The recruitment of just 400 new households is welcome but will not come close to meeting this demand.
As well as recruitment, it is vital to continue to invest in retaining the dedicated foster carers we already have. Our 2024 State of the Nations’ Foster Care survey found that foster carers are stepping away due to a lack of support, insufficient respect from professionals, and burnout. Investment in recruitment alone is not enough- without addressing these fundamental issues, the system will continue to struggle.
Change is needed now. We are calling for increased allowances for foster carers which cover the full cost of caring for a child. We also want to see the implementation of a national recruitment and retention strategy for foster care, as well as a national register for foster carers. This will enhance the status of foster carers and improve the matching process, ensuring every child receives the care and stability they deserve.
