CYP Now - Inspections Clinic: Independent fostering agencies

With record numbers of children entering care and a decline in the number of fostering households, Jo Stephenson looks at the increasing role played by independent fostering agencies in placing children.

Agencies are more likely to specialise in finding places for children with special needs or challenging behaviour. Picture: Halfpoint/Adobe Stock

There is a shortage of foster carers across the UK and independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are playing an increasingly prominent role in placing children.

Record numbers of children are entering care but more foster carers are leaving the sector than joining and applications to become carers are at their lowest level in several years.

Foster charity The Fostering Network says 6,500 more foster families are needed across the UK to meet demand.

The situation is particularly stark in England where numbers of children in care have shot up but numbers of fostering households – especially those overseen by local authorities – have declined year on year.

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