Laura Sharman 31 January 2017

Cracks within fostering system 'likely to get bigger' warns charity

The fostering system in the UK is under ‘unsustainable strain’, with ‘hard-won improvements’ at risk of being eroded, a report has warned today.

The Fostering Network said the current system was undermining the terms, conditions and recruitment of foster carers.

The charity’s State of the Nation’s Foster Care report revealed only 42% of foster carers said their allowance covered the full cost of looking after fostered children, compared to 80% in 2014. A third of foster carers also said they were never or rarely given information about a child prior to their arrival.

Kevin Williams, The Fostering Network’s chief executive, said: ‘This report paints a picture of a fostering system which is under unsustainable strain and which is being held together by the goodwill and commitment of thousands of dedicated foster carers.

‘After many decades of campaigning for improvements to the fostering system, we are now seeing – perhaps for the first time – an erosion of those hard-won gains. We cannot allow this to continue.’

According to the survey, foster careers would like better communication and support from their fostering service, to be treated more as a professional and to receive better financial support.

‘Our fear is, that with austerity biting, the cracks within the fostering system are only likely to get bigger, and – for the sake of the stability and outcomes of tens of thousands of children fostered each year – this cannot be allowed to happen,’ Mr Williams added.

Council leaders warned that while the number of children on protection plans has risen by 60% since 2008, funding cuts will leave children’s services with a shortfall of £1.9bn in the next three years.

Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People’s Board, said: ‘Initiatives such as Staying Put, which allows children to remain with their foster carers until the age of 21, and the resettlement of unaccompanied asylum seeking children have been well supported by councils, but shortfalls in funding from Whitehall have left significant deficits in already depleted budgets.

‘The actions of some independent fostering agencies, which can charge councils more than double the cost of in-house placements while making substantial payouts to shareholders, saw more than £40m diverted away from services for vulnerable children and into the profits of just eight independent agencies in 2014-15.

'We strongly believe that this money would have been better spent on improving services for foster carers across the country.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner