Government pledges 10,000 new foster care places in England

Official figures show the number of foster carers fell from 63,890 in 2021 to 56,345 in March 2025 - a 12% drop.

In the last 12 months alone, there were 1,140 fewer foster placements available for children in England than the year before. Judy and Roxy Wilson, from BBC's The Traitors, attended a government launch of the plan. Judy fostered Roxy, before adopting her.

Fostering is "hugely important," says Roxy, who was moved between a number of homes before settling with Judy.

You need settled moments in your life, especially as a kid. I think fostering is the best thing you can do to give a child that loving and settled feeling.

Judy describes Roxy as "a breath of fresh air" and says people should not be put off fostering.

The report said a shortage of suitable alternatives and the higher fees charged by private providers meant it was costing an average of £318,400 a year per child.

Josh MacAlister, the government's minister for children and families, said children needed family homes not residential care and "reversing the decline in the number of available foster places is an urgent priority".

150,000 people last year came forward and expressed an interest in fostering, but we only approved just over 7,000 of them.

He blames that on outdated rules, and believes modernising the fostering system will help create 10,000 new foster placements before the end of this parliament.

Read the full article here: Government pledges 10,000 new foster care places in England - BBC News