Inadequate experiences of foster caring spark recommendations for improvement across all UK governments
The Fostering Network has published (11 February) its 2024 State of the Nations’ Foster Care report, revealing that experiences of burnout and poor wellbeing from foster carers are subsequently creating greater instability for children and young people.
Based on a survey of over 3,000 current and former foster carers and 114 fostering services across the UK, gives an insight into foster care across the UK, identifying good practice, where improvements are needed, and provides recommendations for the governments and fostering services in the UK nations.
The latest survey, which is conducted every three years, was carried out between May and July 2024. The findings explore the different stages of a foster carer’s journey from initial recruitment, application and approval to possible resignation or retirement, alongside looking into any relevant training, recognition and status, support, and funding. The survey also considers systemic issues such as foster carer recruitment and retention.
The 2024 report found that while there are some examples of good practice, the experiences of foster carers and the children and young people that they care for have worsened across the UK since 2021. The responses from carers reflected that less foster carers would recommend the role and that 60% of foster carers surveyed considered resigning due to little support, a lack of respect and poor wellbeing. The report also highlights issues with insufficient funding and offers a series of recommendations for all governments across the UK. These recommendations include:
• Creating a national recruitment and retention strategy for foster care, and fund national foster carer recruitment campaigns, in each nation to increase the pool of available carers
• Introducing a register of foster carers in each nation to increase foster carers’ status and support matching of children with foster carers. Move responsibility for decisions about the removal of foster carers’ approval to this body to increase independence.
• Investing in children’s mental health services and additional support for learning.
• Increasing allowances to meet the Fostering Network’s recommended rates and introduce and fund a national minimum fee framework, with fees paid 52 weeks a year, and a national pension scheme for foster carers.