Vulnerable children in the care system in England will be provided with more stable and loving homes under government plans to radically accelerate foster carer recruitment.
The government says it has committed to tackling the growing shortage of foster carers across England, and confirmed that “a comprehensive package of reforms” will be introduced early this year to increase the number of foster places available and support the retention of existing carers.
The latest figures published by Ofsted reveal the number of fostering households has declined by 10% since March 2025, to a current total of 33,435. Foster carer recruitment is a key area of government reform, with the package of measures designed to address the urgent need for more places for children in the social care system.
“Fostering changes lives – not just for children who need safety, stability and love, but for the families who open their homes to them,” said Josh MacAlister, the minister for children and families.
“We know the number of foster carers has been falling, and that is why this government will be taking decisive action to give stable and loving homes to children that need them.”
The reforms will be backed by new funding for children’s social care announced at the Spending Review, the Department for Education said in a statement, and will focus on expanding the number of people who can become foster carers, better supporting carers to fit fostering around family and working lives, and developing “innovative models of fostering”, informed by insights from foster carers and frontline practitioners.
“These reforms will expand the pool of potential foster carers, enabling more children to find places in foster homes,” the Department for Education added. “They will also ensure existing foster carers receive better support to help them continue delivering for children.”
Further details will be set out in the coming weeks, with a consultation expected to launch in early 2026.
Children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:
“Children in care deserve the same things as every other child: loving relationships, a safe home and support throughout their life that sets them up to meet their ambitions – and these are the things they tell me they want.
“Too often they are denied these things because of a shortage of safe, caring homes. 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, or left to fend for themselves in semi-independent housing, miles from the homes and people they know.
“I look forward to working closely with Minister MacAlister to set ambitious targets for increasing the number of foster carers in this country, so that every child feels the benefit of a homely, family environment.”
The government says it will continue to work closely with local authorities, fostering agencies and carers to ensure the reforms deliver a sustainable, high-quality fostering system.
