recruitment and retention

Ensuring there are sufficient numbers of skilled and knowledgeable foster carers is one of the biggest challenges currently facing the fostering sector. This research explores what works to retain foster carers – ultimately so we are able to meet all the needs of children in care, both now and in the future. It also sought to develop a better understanding of the recruitment foster carers in England.

Project overview

The Foster Carer Retention Project aimed to support fostering services to:

• capture all of the reasons why foster carers leave their fostering service
• identify the optimum timings for processing exit interviews
• identify any themes as to the reasons why foster carers choose to leave
• create a robust process for future exit interviews

• embed learning to enhance retention and subsequent recruitment of foster carers.
   

Free resources

Recruitment and Retention of Foster Carers: A Practice Toolkit for Fostering Services

Based on recent research, this toolkit offers evidence-based insights into recruiting and retaining a diverse foster care workforce across the UK. Supported by the KPMG Foundation and developed with CEI, this resource highlights what works to ensure quality care for children.

Retention and recruitment of foster carers in England 2023 

Read our latest research report into retention and recruitment here. 

Benchmark reports

The Fostering Service Benchmark report 2015/16

England

Transfer of foster carers protocol England

Principles governing the transfer of foster carers

Recruitment is a year-round activity and fostering services need to recruit to replace foster carers who are leaving the service for many different reasons.

Foster care provides children with a safe, secure and nurturing family environment.