Form

Ofsted fostering dataset returns: changes for 2023–24 onwards

Updated 3 April 2024

Applies to England

Introduction to changes

This page confirms the changes that we will make to the data collection template and the portal for 2023–24. It also explains our proposed changes for 2024–25 onwards. The data being collected relates to the financial year 1 April to 31 March.

The confirmed changes for 2023–24 represent a small addition to the data collected last year, 2022–23.

Confirmed changes for 2023–24

• data on the disability status of foster carers (“yes”, “no”, or “unknown”) will be a required field. This was collected as an optional field in 2022–23.
• additional data on the reasons why households chose to withdraw from the application process before consideration at panel. This will be collected as an optional field for 2023-24. The additional codes are as follows:
  • Fostering was not as the applicant expected (AW1)
  • Assessment process was not as the applicant expected (AW2)
  • Household circumstances changed during the assessment (other than for financial reasons) (AW3)
  • Applicant was unable to continue the process for financial reasons (AW4)
  • Applicant was concerned about the risk of allegations (AW5)
  • Other reason/unknown reason (AW0)
• further clarification on what does/does not constitute an initial enquiry will be added to the fostering guidance, based on the responses to our survey.
• a new response option will be added for the existing questions ‘Age of Foster Carer 1’ and ‘Age of Foster Carer 2’ (A8, A9). The added option will be 18-19, representing the age bracket 18 to 19 years old.

Proposed changes for 2024–25 onwards

We propose:

• expanding the data to include more protected characteristics: sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, relationship status. This data would be collected at aggregate rather than carer level, to allow for personal anonymity. It is likely that the ethnicity data and disability data will move to aggregate level, instead of the existing carer level.
• amending the response code for the existing question ‘Reason for deregistration’ (F2). ‘Initiated by foster carer’ (DER3) will no longer be available. We propose replacing DER3 with more specific reasons, proposed as follows:
  • Carer retirement (DER7)
  • Personal carer circumstances (DER8)
  • Carer ceased fostering (DER9)
• separating the question “how many initial enquiries did you receive?” into the following options:
  • Number of enquiries from prospective foster carers via website or social media
  • Number of enquiries from prospective foster carers via phone
  • Number of prospective foster carers who attended an organised, scheduled information session
  • Number of prospective foster carers who completed an initial phone call
  • Number of prospective foster carers who completed an initial meeting
  • Number of prospective foster carers who completed a home visit
  • Number of initial enquiries from prospective foster carers via other means

  We will ask agencies to count each prospective carer in only one category where possible, based on their most recent form of contact.

This section is proposed at this stage and not guaranteed to be final. We welcome feedback on these proposed changes. Further guidance on what is covered under each new code will be provided in advance of the 2024-25 collection.

Please contact socialcaredata@ofsted.gov.uk if you have any queries or suggestions about the fostering dataset return.