To thrive and grow, all children and young people need a safe, secure and stable environment. Fostering provides nurturing alternative family-based care for children unable to live with their own family. Fostering is about giving children and young people stability and care and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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What is fostering?
Why do some children need to be fostered?
There are many reasons why a child might need to be fostered. The local authority may decide with the parent(s), the agreement of the court, or because of a police action, that a child or young person needs to be cared for safely somewhere other than their family home.
In some cases, this may be because a child or young person has suffered significant harm or is at risk of significant harm. In these situations, the local authority has a duty to investigate. If the investigation concludes that a child is at risk of, or has suffered, significant harm, they may work with other agencies, the child, and the family to put a Child Protection Plan in place to reduce risks for the child and monitor their safety at home. If this is not possible, the child may come into the care of the local authority.
If the child becomes a 'looked after child', the local authority should check if someone known to them could offer appropriate care. This person can be assessed as a connected person/kinship foster carer. If this is not possible, the child will go to live with an approved foster carer.
A foster family can give children and young people the opportunity to experience a positive family life, often during a period of uncertainty. This can help rebuild their trust in adults. Many children return home safely once the issues have been addressed, or onto other permanent options depending on their needs, including adoption, special guardianship, or long-term foster care.
How many children are in foster care?
In 2023, there were 83,840 'looked after children' in England, with 68% of these children and young people living with foster families (Ofsted, 2023). 31% of children living with foster carers experienced the disruption of moving to live with more than one foster family (sometimes referred to as 'placement moves'). Matching the needs of children to foster carers with the right skills and experience is vital to help reduce unnecessary moves for the child. This is why we need more foster carers to provide children with a safe and loving home.
How long does a fostering arrangement last?
A child's time in foster care varies depending on their circumstances. Some children stay for a few days, some for many months or longer. Approximately 40% of children and young people return home to live with their own families within six months.
However, there are some children and young people that need longer term support or alternative care arrangements. What this looks like will depend on their care plan, and could be provided through long term fostering, adoption, kinship foster care, special guardianship, residential care, or through supported living if the young person is between 16-18 years old.
40%
of children and young people return home to live with their own families within six months.
