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Government must focus on foster carer recruitment and retention

2 mins read Guest Blog
Much has been written about the crisis in foster carer numbers and the fact that foster carer recruitment has not kept pace with foster carer attrition rates.
Andy Elvin is chief executive of Tact Fostering
Andy Elvin is chief executive of Tact Fostering - ANDY ELVIN

Though there are some wide social and macro-economic issues at play we are not helpless in the face of these and there is much that we can do.

The latest figures from the Department for Education show that only 125,195 initial applications were received by local authorities and independent foster agencies in 2022/23 – the lowest level since current records began in 2017/18.  Those of us in the sector are aware that this is the toughest carer recruitment market experienced in the last 30 years

Meanwhile, a recent study of more than 2,500 foster carers found that three quarters of foster carers report that feeling undervalued in their role is forcing them to consider resigning from the role.  A failure to urgently address foster carer recruitment will lead to spiralling LA children’s social care costs, as more residential care is used, and more LAs will declare bankruptcy.

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