Member

But given the financial benefits and the welfare benefits of fostering, the statistics have been going the wrong way. Although there are more children in care over the past few years, there are now fewer foster carers. Local authorities and independent fostering agencies are struggling to recruit a sufficient number of carers to replace those leaving foster care. The number of mainstream fostering households continues to decline. During the last financial year, a total of 4,080 fostering households were approved, while 5,130 stopped fostering—a loss of around 1,000 households. There are all sorts of reasons for that decline. The spare rooms that traditionally became available when children left home are now occupied by older children who are unable to rent or buy a home of their own.