Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Accepted
Severe shortage of foster carers exacerbated by inadequate support and undervalued work.
Conclusion
The shortage of foster carers is a key cause in the crisis in the supply of placements for children in care, with an additional 6,500 fostering families needed. Yet too many prospective foster carers do not complete the application and approval process, and those who do find themselves left with inadequate support and undervalued for the important work they do. (Conclusion, Paragraph 71)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the committee's conclusion, committing to significant investment of £25 million through the Transformation Fund for recruitment and retention, capital investment for foster carer homes, and developing a national Foster Care Statement of Expectations to improve support and consistency.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We recognise the importance of supporting foster carers and addressing the challenges in recruitment and retention. The Government is investing significantly in foster care reforms through the Transformation Fund, including £25 million to support recruitment and retention initiatives. We are also committed to capital investment to refurbish and expand foster carer homes, further enhancing capacity. These measures are designed to increase the number of foster families and improve the support they receive, ensuring more children can benefit from stable, loving homes. We are also committed to developing a new national Foster Care Statement of Expectations, which will set out clearly what foster carers can expect from the system and what is expected of them, helping to provide consistency across local authorities.