Here's how you can help
If you’ve ever wondered how to foster, what the process involves, or why your help is urgently needed — this is your guide.
The UK continues to face a shortage of foster carers while demand for loving family homes continues to grow. This gap means children who should be living in supportive foster family homes are instead being placed far from their communities or clustered in residential care settings. That isn’t in any child’s best interest — and you can help change that.
🌟 Take a look at the latest government data which shows the current state of fostering in England🌟
💛 Why more foster carers are needed
- About 54,820 children were living with foster families in England as of 31 March 2025, making up around two thirds of all children looked after away from home.
- Yet, there are only 42,190 fostering households in England — a number that has declined steadily over the past 4 years.
- The total number of approved foster carers has dropped to 56,345, a 12 % decrease since 2021, highlighting a long term downward trend in carers available to support children.
This shortage means children are more likely to be placed:
- far from their local community
- separated from siblings
- in residential care rather than family‑based care
Government and charities like ours agree: more foster carers are urgently needed.
💛 2026 Government Action: A National Recruitment Push
To address this issue, the UK Government has launched a major fostering recruitment campaign and reform package:
- A commitment to create up to 10,000 new foster care places during this Parliament.
- Efforts to simplify the process, spread awareness, and support foster carers.
- New plans that broaden eligibility for fostering, removing outdated barriers that once discouraged working parents, renters, single people and others from applying.
We believe this is a crucial moment — people searching online now and who are thinking, “How do I become a foster carer?” may find that the door to fostering is more open than ever.
If you’ve ever thought about fostering – now is a great time to explore the options.
👣How to Foster in England: a Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re asking “how can I be a foster carer?” or “what do I need to do to be a foster parent?” here’s a straightforward roadmap for you:
- Think about whether fostering fits your life and home
— You don’t need to be a homeowner, married, or have biological children. - Contact us at The Foster Care Charity – or your local authority team
— We can provide personalised guidance and help you explore your eligibility. - Complete an application and assessment
— This includes background checks, references, and training. - Receive approval to foster (known as “approval status”)
— Once approved, you’ll be matched with a child or sibling group based on your skills and support capacity.
Throughout this process, our team here at The Foster Care Charity can help. We’ll answer your personal questions — from allowances and finances to how fostering can fit around your work and family life.
🌐You can also find out more on our fostering with us pages.
🎉 Some questions you might have if you’re thinking about fostering
Q: Do I need to quit my job to foster?
A: No. Many carers work part time or full time while fostering, and we can work with you to find a balance.
Q: Can single people or renters foster?
A: Yes — we focus on stability and suitability, not marital status or owning property.
Q: Is training provided?
A: Yes — you’ll receive full training and ongoing support before and after approval.
Q: Do foster carers get paid?
A: Foster carers receive a weekly fostering allowance to support the child’s needs, and a professional fee for fostering.
Q: How much contact with birth families do foster carers have?
A: Contact varies by the child’s care plan but is supported and encouraged where safe and appropriate.
Q: Where do I start?
A: Contact our team here at The Foster Care Charity – or if you live in an area we don’t cover you can check out other not-for-profit agencies here (Fairer Fostering Partnership) or speak to your local authority team.
Why Your Search Matters — and Why Now Is the Time to Act!
Every day we know that people just like you are searching online about fostering. And like you, they are seriously considering it. They just haven’t taken the first step yet.
Children who need loving families are not on hold — and the shortage of foster carers is real. By exploring fostering now, you could soon be the stable home a child has been waiting for.
Reach out to our team and get real answers to your personal questions so you can decide with confidence.
💛Searching “how to foster” today could help a child find a home tomorrow
Can You Foster?
If you’ve been thinking about fostering why not have a chat with us? We’d love to talk through your options and help you explore whether this could work for you and your family.
📞 Call us today to learn more – UK FreePhone 0800 0856 538
📍 Book an appointment with our team via our at Contact Us page
There are children out there who need someone just like you. Could you open your home and heart to them? We don’t think you’ll regret becoming a foster parent. ❤️
