Fostering statistics

Fostering statistics

There are just over 70,000 children and young people living away from home in public care on any given day in the UK, almost 50,000 of whom live with 43,000 foster families. The Fostering Network estimates that a further 10,000 foster carers are needed across the UK.

The statistics below are the latest available from the relevant government departments in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They provide a picture of the care system on just one day of the year. Many more children and young people move in and out of public care over the course of 12 months.

England

  • 59,500 children looked after on 31 March 2008
  • Over two-thirds of these children (42,300 or 71 per cent) were living with foster carers
  • There are approximately 37,000 foster carers in England
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 8,200 foster carers

Northern Ireland

  • 2,356 children looked after on 31 March 2008
  • Over half of these children (1,376 or 57 per cent) were living with foster carers
  • There are approximately 1,800 approved foster families of which 450 are family and friends carers in Northern Ireland
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 200 long-term foster families

Scotland

  • 6,157 children looked after away from home on 31 March 2008
  • Over two-thirds of these children (4,243 or 69 per cent) were living with foster families
  • There are approximately 3,200 foster families in Scotland
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 1,700 foster carers

Wales

  • 4,633 children looked after on 31 March 2008
  • Three quarters of these children (3,487 or 75 per cent) were living with foster carers
  • There are approximately 1,900 foster carers in Wales
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 750 foster carers