Fostering statistics

There are around 70,000 children and young people living away from home in public care on any given day in the UK. Of these children, over 54,000 live with 45,000 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

60,900 children looked after on 31 March 2009
Over three-quarters of children looked after away from home (44,200 or 78 per cent) were living with foster carers
There are at least 37,000 foster families in England
The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 8,200 foster carers

Northern Ireland

2,463 children looked after on 31 March 2009.
Around two-thirds of children looked after away from home (1,607 or 65 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

There are 15,288 children looked after by local authorities in Scotland of which 6,366 are children looked after away from home and their family on 31 March 2009
Over two-thirds of children looked after away from home and their family (4,497 or 71 per cent) were living with foster carers
There are approximately 3,300 foster families in Scotland
The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 1,700 foster carers

Wales

4,705 children looked after on 31 March 2009
Over four fifths of children looked after away from home (3,630 or 86 per cent) were living with foster carers
There are approximately 3,000 foster families in Wales
The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 750 foster carers

Foster Care Fortnight

Media Centre

"As a parent myself I believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, secure and loving environment. Foster carers across the UK do a fantastic job offering stability and encouragement to young people in care, offering them the chance to have a bright future.

"Given the current shortage of foster carers I hope that Foster Care Fortnight will be a huge success and encourage many people to come forward to foster, and make a lasting difference to children’s lives."

Gabby Logan