Children’s home numbers are up and foster carers continue to be required

There has been recent data shared by Ofsted on the number of children’s homes being operated to support children and young persons. This is up year on year and by 12% in the year to 31 March 2024.

The overall number of children’s places is at 14,580 at March 2023 (up by 4,530 in the year) relating secure units, children’s homes and semi-independent living.

The actual total provision remains a lower percentage compared with the increase in the total number of children in care, increasing by 5,700, to a total of 83,840 at 31 March 2023.

Foster carers required

Foster care continues to be the highest provision level but the actual total number of households is down from 37,520 to 35,005 across the period of 2019 to 2023. This can be put down to different factors including retirements, the impact of COVID and challenges on housing capacity.

This highlights the need for new foster carers and the continued positive work by existing foster carers. We hope to make a difference through the recruitment of foster carers and helping raising the importance awareness. Fostering is challenging but not everyone understands initially the positive outcomes, happiness that it can bring and also the effective support. There is specialist training, respite and access to professionals for therapeutic intervention.

Ofsted data shows that there were 91 inspections of fostering providers to 31 March 2023. For these, 23 were rated Outstanding, 63 rated Good, 9 rated Requires Improvements and 7 rated Inadequate. The importance of achieving positive outcomes, ensuring effective safeguarding, compliance with regulations and strong leadership are key focus areas for all fostering agencies including Beacon Fostering.

If you have any feedback on your fostering support, please do contact us. We are holding regular fostering information sessions and events to help promote fostering locally across our key areas including Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool and Lancashire. The shortage of foster carers is relevant for North West England and providing local support for children and young persons.

(Source Data: Ofsted)