Policy paper
Renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children
Sets out the steps required to address the sharp decline in foster carers over the past decade and reform the foster care system.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This document sets out the challenges in the fostering system, the government’s vision for the future of fostering and an action plan describing how we will build it.
It focuses on the following areas:
- England-wide action to expand fostering
- enhanced regional collaboration
- innovation to improve outcomes for children
- stronger support around foster families
- a simpler rulebook that puts trusted relationships first
We have also published a:
- consultation on fostering reform: proposed changes to assessment and handling allegations of abuse inviting views from those with professional and direct experience of fostering to help shape the regulatory framework, change standards and revise statutory guidance
- call for evidence on fostering for the future: improving the foster care system
- call for evidence for children and young people to share their views on foster care
We want to identify innovative ideas and seek views on how we can improve the foster care system to develop future reform proposals.
Alongside this plan, we have published a regional care cooperatives policy paper.
Updates to this page
Published 4 February 2026