Foster carers required locally in Liverpool with an 11% increase in children in care over the past 5 years!

There is an estimated shortage of over 7,000 fostering families across England. Foster Care Fortnight, aims to highlight this need and promote and support the awareness of fostering.

There were over 100,000 children in the care system overall in 2023 in the UK at any one time. For England, at 31 March 2023, there were 83,840 children in care, up by 7.2% from 31 March 2019 over a five year period.

How does Liverpool compare locally? Local needs in Liverpool have increased further above the National level

If we take a look at the statistics (source: DFE), this shows that the growth in the number of children supported care was up 10.9%, for Liverpool compared to the 7.2% National figure. The total at 31 March 2023 was 1,477 children and young persons, up from 1,331 at 31 March 2019. This highlights the need locally in Liverpool for foster carers and other support settings.

The highest support type was through foster carers at 68% of the total number of children. This is up by 5% from 2019. The next highest support environment is children’s home and residential settings at 15% for Liverpool.

Were young persons supported locally?

The overall aim is to support children and young persons locally, with the measure being to be less than 20 miles from the child or young person’s home. This level is at 85% for the children and young persons at 31 March 2023 for Liverpool. This is up by 4% from 2019 overall and compares well to the level across England overall at 70%.

What was the largest provision by type of provider?

The Local Authority directly supported 42% of children and young persons. This has maintained at a similar level to 2019 at 43%. The balance with the private sector is at 37% of the overall provision.

The number of UASC (unaccompanied asylum seeking children) has reduced to 68 at 31 March 2023, down from 116 at 31 March 2019. This is against the trend for England with an increase of 29% from last year in 2022.

Care leaver outcomes for education, employment and training are higher and improving

For care leavers aged 17 to 18, the level of young persons in education, employment or training is higher, at 66% overall at 31 March 2023 and up from 52% in 2019. The same trend follows for aged 19 to 21, with the percentage level being at 58% at 2023, increasing from 49% in 2019. The shows the positive work by Liverpool Local Authority and its providers.

Beacon Fostering is looking to support foster carers locally across Liverpool and we wish to make a difference going forward. The statistics show the need and it is about each child and young person, showing the love and care for them as individuals. If you are based locally in Liverpool, please contact us and we can explore your fostering career.