A severe shortage of foster carers in the UK is driving a concerning increase in children entering care homes, warns Barnardo's, a leading children's charity. The decline in foster carers, coupled with rising residential care costs, highlights a critical issue within the nation's social care system.
Recent data from Barnardo's reveals widespread public concern about the lack of foster carers. Three-quarters of UK adults express worries about the insufficient supply, yet only a small fraction (7%) consider fostering within the next decade. This stark contrast underscores the significant gap between the need and potential support.
The issue is compounded by financial pressures and societal shifts. Experienced foster carers are retiring, while fewer individuals are stepping forward to fill the void. The pandemic, the rising cost of living, and increased home-working trends are cited as contributing factors. The number of foster care applications has fallen by 18% since 2019, leading to a 7% reduction in approved carers.
Meanwhile, the number of children and young people placed in care has risen by 7% since 2019. The County Councils Network reports a 45% increase in residential care home placements over the same period, highlighting the escalating strain on resources. Reports reveal councils are paying substantial sums, exceeding £10,000 per week per child in some cases, for residential care placements.
Barnardo's director of fostering and adoption, Brenda Farrell, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "This is a very real crisis affecting thousands of children," she stated. "Children in care require stable, loving homes, but the current supply of foster carers is insufficient." The lack of sufficient carers exposes vulnerable children to unstable placements, jeopardizing their well-being. Factors such as the pandemic, cost-of-living pressures, and altered living arrangements are believed to contribute to the shortage.
The charity's survey, involving 4,430 UK adults, further illustrates the problem. A substantial portion of respondents (82% of over 55-year-olds) feel too old, while a third of 25-44-year-olds aren't inclined to foster. Financial constraints (15% of respondents) and insufficient accommodation (19%) also contribute to the lack of potential foster carers.
The children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has also flagged the "alarming" rise of unregistered children's homes. Council leaders describe the social care system as "broken," citing "market failure" as a driver of excessive costs.
The government, through the Department for Education, has committed £15 million to increase the number of foster carers. The spokesperson highlighted the government's efforts to support children's well-being by focusing on earlier support and stability within the system.
