Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Fostering Reforms

04 February 2026 · Department for Education

Proposed by Josh MacAlister Lab Whitehaven and Workington

Children & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The Government plans to create 10,000 additional foster care places by the end of this Parliament.
  • The initiative will be supported by 88 million over two years to address the shortage of foster carers.
  • The plan includes a recruitment campaign, capital investment for home renovations, and regional collaboration through Fostering Recruitment Hubs.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the shortage of foster carers and its impact on children's placement in care.

Action requested

The Government plans to create 10,000 additional foster care places by the end of this Parliament, backed by £88 million over two years. The plan includes a recruitment campaign, capital investment for home renovations, regional collaboration through Fostering Recruitment Hubs, innovation funding for new fostering models, improved retention strategies, and rulebook simplification.

Key facts

  • Foster carers have fallen by 12% since 2019.
  • £88 million will be invested over two years to create 10,000 additional foster care places.
  • A national recruitment and awareness campaign will launch with improved digital tools.
  • £25 million is allocated for carers to expand or renovate homes.
  • Fostering Recruitment Hubs will receive £12.8 million to provide consistent assessment support.
  • Regional Care Cooperatives will get £10.8 million to improve placement availability and stability.
  • £12.4 million is invested in testing new fostering models like weekend fostering.
  • £8.9 million supports over 100 Mockingbird constellations for foster carer training.
  • The fostering rulebook will be simplified with updated standards and clearer expectations.
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