Applications to be foster carers have fallen by a third
Ofsted has published fostering in England statistics for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
The statistics show that:
- There were 44,320 approved fostering households as at 31 March 2016, less than a 1% fall from the previous year (44,625). There were 51,805 children and young people in placement on 31 March 2016, the same as last year’s figure.
- Although the number of care leavers went up 17% to 4,025, the number who stayed living with their former foster carers increased by a higher rate (22%) to 2,190 ie 54 per cent of care leavers).
- The reported number of applications to be foster carers fell by one third. There were 11,460 applications in 2015 to 2016, compared to 16,920 the previous year.
- There has been a 13% increase in the number of approved family and friends households from 4,145 on 31 March 2015 to 4,665 in 2016.
The release covers:
- The numbers and profile of foster carers, foster places and placements in both local authority and independent fostering agencies
- Data relating to types of foster care, registrations, de-registrations, fostered children and a range of other subjects
- The period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.
To access the statistics, click here.