Fostering statistics

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The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year. Over 100,000 children were in the care system in the UK in 2023.

Nearly 70,000 children live with over 53,000 foster families across the UK. This is nearly three-quarters of the 100,437 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK. 

Around 38,000 more children come into care over the course of 12 months, that is one child every 15 minutes who could need a foster family. 

Every year thousands of new foster families are needed.

The statistics below provide a picture of the care system on just one day of the year. Around 38,000 more children come into care over the course of 12 months, with similar numbers leaving the care system to return home, move in with another family member, live with new adoptive families, become subject to a special guardianship or residence order or move on to adult life.
 

England

  • 56,390 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2024. 
  • This is 67% per cent of the 83,630 children in care looked after away from home. 
  • There are around 42,615 foster families in England. 
  • Every year thousands of new foster families are needed in England. 

Northern Ireland

  • 3,358 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2024. 
  • This is 83 per cent of the 3,999 children in care looked after away from home. 
  • There are approximately 2,893 foster families in Northern Ireland, and there is always a need for more foster families. 
For more details see the Department of Health website.
 

Scotland

  • 3,927 children were living with foster families on 31 July 2023. 
  • This is nearly three-quarters of children in care looked after away from home and family. 
  • There were approximately 3,261 approved fostering families in Scotland on 31 December 2022. 
  • Every year hundreds of new foster families are needed in Scotland. 
For more details, see the Scottish Government website and the Care Inspectorates' website.
 

Wales

  • Around 4,955 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2023.
  • This is 69 per cent of the 7,208 children in care looked after away from home. 
  • There are approximately 3,800 foster families in Wales. 
  • Every year hundreds of new foster families are needed in Wales. 

For more details see the Welsh Government website.

 

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