Foster carers better supported through £40 million investment as government calls for more to open their homes

Thousands more children in care are set to benefit from stable, loving start thanks to a £40 million investment to recruit and retain foster families, as the government calls for more people to open their homes this Foster Care Fortnight.

The national push to support both new and existing foster carers is part of the government's wider Plan for Change to reform children's social care and ensure more young people can thrive in family settings.

£25 million was recently invested by the government to recruit hundreds more new foster families and strengthen support to retain existing carers to improve the life chances of thousands of children. This builds on the £15 million announced at the Autumn Budget.

Some 56,390 vulnerable children are in foster care. But as demand has steadily grown across the children's social care system in recent years, the number of foster families available has not kept pace, leaving a shortfall of placements.

Addressing this forms a key part of the government's ambitious reforms through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, by keeping children in loving, family environments when it is not safe to be at home – whether through kinship, adoption or foster care.

Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby said:

“This Foster Care Fortnight, I want to celebrate all the incredible carers across the country who already open their homes to children, and recognise the brilliant employers who offer the flexibility needed to be a foster carer.

“Through our Plan for Change, we're investing over £40 million to increase the number of foster families, as well as reforming the entire care system to improve the experiences of children and families through our landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

“I'm calling on you, your neighbour, your friends and families, empty nesters and those with space in their heart, to take the step and to consider foster care.”

Barriers to becoming a foster carer include a lack of flexibility through work, difficulty accessing training and support to manage this monumental life shift and a lack of awareness around how to start the journey.

On top of the government's recruitment drive, employers have a huge role to play in ensuring foster carers have the flexibility and support needed to foster a child.

The John Lewis Partnership offers additional paid leave to all new and existing foster carers in the business, providing the flexibility they need to support their family.

Dan Cobb, Partner and Foster Carer at the John Lewis Partnership, said:

"Foster Care Fortnight is a brilliant moment to shine a light on the incredible role foster carers play, and the power of stable, caring homes for children who need them most.

"For me, alongside the support we get from our Independent Fostering Agency, the understanding and flexibility from the John Lewis Partnership makes a real difference. Knowing that my employer truly 'gets' the demands and joys of fostering – whether it's needing to attend a review meeting or just being there for a child after a tough day at school – lifts a huge weight of being able to work flexibly.

"It shows that fostering isn't just something you do alone; it's about a community, including your workplace, working together to help young people thrive."

The government is taking action to retain more foster carers by increasing the help they receive in the early stages of the fostering journey – such as emotional and practical advice, and a consistent point of contact throughout the approval process – and widening access to vital peer groups.

A key part of the government's funding will be to expand the rollout of regionally focused recruitment hubs nationally, to cover 100% of local authorities. The hubs recognise the demand in their area and deliver recruitment initiatives based on local need.

From initial contact to explore the fostering process through to application stage and post-match support, the hubs have supported countless people to foster children in their region.

Foster carers from across the East of England and West London, who have benefited from the support of their regional hubs, recently joined the minister to celebrate one-year since the service's launch. 

Kerri, a Foster Carer and Enquiry Officer at the Foster with West London Hub said:

"I am a foster carer of 7 years alongside my husband, and I also work for the Foster with West London Hub. I am a big advocate for fostering teenagers, as there are many misconceptions and, unfortunately, we struggle to find carers for older children.

“I decided to start work in fostering recruitment as we were being constantly approached to take more children when we had no space. I wanted to use my first-hand experience and knowledge to help recruit more carers for our vulnerable young people. I am passionate about fostering and dispelling myths which prevent people from applying to be carers."

Chris, a Foster Carer and Recruitment Officer at the Foster East hub said:

"I am in an interesting position as I am a foster carer but also work in the Foster East hub as a recruitment officer.

“My job means I get to share my real-life experiences of being a foster carer with people, so that they can make an informed decision on whether to send us an application. It is a really rewarding role."

Chief executive of The Fostering Network, Sarah Thomas, said:

“Foster Care Fortnight is a special time to recognise and celebrate the amazing fostering community, while also shining a light on the changes still needed to better support them. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to our fantastic foster carers – the love, stability and care they provide every day makes such a difference in children's lives. It's not always easy, and they face real challenges, but their dedication is truly inspiring.

“We're really grateful to John Lewis for standing with the fostering community. When employers show their support and understanding, it helps foster carers feel valued – and that makes all the difference to the young people they care for.”