The Government has today launched a nationally co-ordinated fostering recruitment campaign for England as part of its aim to recruit 10, 000 new foster care places for children. The campaign aims to challenge common misconceptions that can lead people to rule themselves out of fostering before finding out more.
The Fostering Network welcomes the Department for Education’s leadership on launching this national campaign to tackle England’s shortage of foster carers. We estimate that thousands more foster carers are needed to ensure every child can access the right home for their individual needs, so it is vital that we raise awareness of fostering and encourage people to consider whether it could be right for them.
Foster carers make a real difference through everyday acts of care and support, helping children and young people build trust, confidence and a sense of belonging. It’s positive that the campaign’s focuses on highlighting how everyday acts of care, from helping with homework and sharing meals, to being there after a difficult day, can help children feel safe, supported and settled.
There are many misconceptions that cause people to rule out fostering before finding out more. We hope this campaign will help encourage the public to take the next step and see fostering as something that could be possible for them.
The number of foster carers fell by 12%, from 63,890 in 2021 to 56,345 in 2025. While recruiting new foster carers is welcome, it cannot be the only solution – there must also be a focus on retaining existing carers and addressing the reasons they are leaving.
The Government is also announcing today the programmes receiving funding through the Fostering Innovation Fund, which is designed to test more flexible new approaches to delivering foster care and build evidence about what works in fostering. The Fostering Network is pleased to be in receipt of this funding to work with the new London Regional Care Cooperative (RCC) on a project to support foster carers during the allegations process, a key reason why foster carers leave.
Sarah Thomas, CEO of The Fostering Network said:
“The stability that fostering provides can change lives, which is why we have long called for a national campaign of this scale in England, building on similar work that has taken place in Wales and Scotland. This is an important step towards recruiting more foster carers who can provide the stable, loving homes children need to thrive.
Alongside this, it is crucial that the Government also puts as much focus into supporting existing foster carers and encouraging retention. Too many foster carers continue to leave. Addressing the reasons for this is essential if more children are to benefit from stable loving foster homes.”
To find out more about the campaign and how you could foster, visit: Become a foster carer – Become a foster carer
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