Gov plans foster care reforms after fostering falls 10%
Figures published by Ofsted show that at the end of March 2025 there were 33,435 fostering households in England, a fall of 10% since 2021
Register to get 1 free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
The government has pledged to reverse a sharp decline in the number of foster carers in England, announcing plans for a package of reforms to be introduced in early 2026.
Ministers said the measures would aim to increase the number of foster places available and improve support for existing carers, amid concerns that shortages are pushing more vulnerable children into residential care.
Figures published by Ofsted show that at the end of March 2025 there were 33,435 fostering households in England, a fall of 10% since 2021.
According to the Department for Education (DfE), a lack of foster homes can lead to children being placed in residential settings, where outcomes in education, health and long-term prospects are typically worse and risks of exploitation and abuse can be higher.
The reforms are expected to be backed by new funding for children’s social care announced at the Spending Review. The government said they would focus on widening eligibility to become a foster carer, reducing what it described as unnecessary barriers, and making it easier for people with jobs or families to foster.
Other proposals include improving support to help carers balance fostering with work and family life, and developing new models of fostering informed by foster carers and frontline practitioners.
Josh MacAlister, the minister for children and families, said: “Fostering changes lives – not just for children who need safety, stability and love, but for the families who open their homes to them.”
Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, added: “No child should be considered too complex for foster care, but instead of living with a foster carer who can provide high-quality care and therapeutic support, many of our most vulnerable children are placed in unregistered accommodation with no scrutiny over standards.”
The government said it would continue to work with local authorities, fostering agencies and carers to ensure the planned reforms deliver what it described as a sustainable, high-quality fostering system.
