Department for Education proposes changes to rules on fostering as part of “major recruitment drive”

In an announcement made yesterday, the Department for Education set out plans to create up to 10,000 new foster care places.

The new rules will mean that foster carers don’t have to be married, homeowners, or not working full time to foster effectively. 

The Government has set out an “action plan” to make fostering more appealing, focussing on six key areas:

1. Simplifying rules – “through a new national fostering rulebook to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, support more stable placements and make everyday family life easier and more normal for children and carers”. 
2. Clear information and support – “with improved national information and digital tools to help people understand fostering, the support available and how to apply”. 
3. Working better across regions – “by strengthening regional fostering hubs so local areas can collaborate on recruitment, training and placements, delivering more consistent support wherever families live”. 
4. More foster homes and support to keep families together – “helping more people to become foster carers and enabling existing carers to support more children, including sibling groups, with practical support such as financial help with home improvements”. 
5. New models that reflect modern life – “testing more flexible approaches to fostering and updating guidance and regulations that currently reflect outdated assumptions about family structures and caring responsibilities”. 
6. Stronger support for foster families – “including clearer financial support, stronger local networks and named professionals, with a commitment that no one will be worse off for fostering and families will receive help early, not just in a crisis”. 

The Government warned that the shortage in foster carers “means too many children are placed far from home or end up in residential care, where they often face struggles in school, health difficulties and even exploitation or exposure to criminal activity.”

Residential care also costs local authorities significantly more than fostering - a total of £4.7 billion in 2022 – 2023, according to the Local Government Association. 

The plans will be backed by £88 million of funding to support foster carers and the network of frontline services that support them, with the money repurposed from existing budgets, the DfE said.

“This also means better support for existing foster carers, including clarity on the help available, assistance with home improvements, and access to peer support and advice through regional fostering hubs.”

Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, said: “Reversing the decline in the number of available foster places is an urgent priority for me because fostering is so vital to our mission to give children the best possible start in life.  

“We’re bringing fostering into the 21st century, removing outdated rules and unnecessary barriers to become foster carers as part of our overhaul of the care system. 

“Foster carers give children the stable, loving relationships they need to thrive. If you’ve ever considered fostering, I would urge you to look into this incredible vocation that can transform a child’s life.”

Responding to the plans, Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “I wholeheartedly back this ambition, which could change the lives of thousands of children currently being denied loving, safe homes. I look forward to working with Minister MacAlister to help achieve this target.

“Too often, decisions about children in care are based not on what’s best for them, but on a shortage of good options. That means siblings separated, children housed illegally in caravans or holiday homes, disabled children’s needs overlooked, or children remanded into prison because there is nowhere else for them to go. Specialist foster carers for these children are vital if we are to relieve the pressure on the children’s social care system, improve care standards and end profiteering, and give every child in care the same chances as any other child.”

The Department for Education has issued a call for evidence asking for innovative ideas and views on how to improve the foster care system.

The DfE has also launched a consultation on amending the role of fostering panels and strengthening quality assurance standards within the assessment process, and improving the handling of allegations of abuse against foster carers.

The call for evidence and the consultation close on 17 March 2026.

Lottie Winson