Research carried out by the Fostering Network reveals all but six fostering services asked did not have enough foster carers, raising concerns many children could be missing out on vital support.
The findings of the survey of foster carers and foster services, outlined in the State of the Nation Foster Care 2021 report, found the highest areas of need were for teenagers, large sibling groups, children with disabilities and parent and child placements.
The poll, conducted every three years by the charity to identify areas of good practice and pinpoint where improvements are needed, received responses from 3,352 foster carers caring for around 5,669 children in the UK.
For the first time fostering services were also surveyed, attracting 99 responses which represents 19 per cent of the total number of providers across the country.
The charity is warning children and young people in foster care face a “crumbling and failing” system unless urgent improvements are made to recruit and retain foster carers.
Such measures could include better pay, support and training as well as improving relationships with children’s social workers.
Foster carers should also be given more authority to make decisions on behalf of children in their care, the charity says.
The investigation highlights poor working terms and conditions for foster carers, coupled with their low status in teams set up around looked-after children.
These factors are likely to have a direct impact on the experience and outcomes for children, the charity explains.
The report shows more than a third of foster carers say child allowances are not enough to meet the full cost of care, meaning they must use their own money to make up any shortfall.
In addition, just over half of foster carers surveyed did not receive sufficient information about a new child or young person coming into their care, making it harder for them to plan and support their specific needs.
Furthermore, only 42 per cent of foster carers reported that children were able to visit their new home before moving in, negatively impacting how they felt about their accommodation and creating insecurity and instability in their attachments.
The report puts forward a series of strategic and practical recommendations at a national and local level in an attempt to divert a looming recruitment crisis.
Kevin Williams, The Fostering Network’s chief executive, said the measures would improve the status of foster carers to stop high levels of turnover and deliver better outcomes for children and young people.
“Foster care for too long has been a neglected sector and the time to change this is now. We are calling on governments to work with us to implement the report’s recommendations in all four countries of the UK so we don’t fail our young people.
“The vital role of the foster carer needs to be recognised, respected and valued so all children are given the best experience of foster care,” he said.
