The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year. Over 100,000 children were in the care system in the UK in 2023.
Nearly 70,000 children live with over 53,000 foster families across the UK. This is nearly three-quarters of the 100,437 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK.
Around 38,000 more children come into care over the course of 12 months, that is one child every 15 minutes who could need a foster family.
Every year thousands of new foster families are needed.
England
- 57,020 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2023.
- This is 68% per cent of the 83,840 children in care looked after away from home.
- There are around 43,405 foster families in England.
- Every year thousands of new foster families are needed in England.
Northern Ireland
- 3,140 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2023.
- This is 82 per cent of the 3,801 children in care looked after away from home.
- There are approximately 2,827 foster families in Northern Ireland, and there is always a need for more foster families.
Scotland
- 3,927 children were living with foster families on 31 July 2023.
- This is nearly three-quarters of children in care looked after away from home and family.
- There were approximately 3,261 approved fostering families in Scotland on 31 December 2022.
- Every year hundreds of new foster families are needed in Scotland.
Wales
- Around 4,955 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2023.
- This is 69 per cent of the 7,208 children in care looked after away from home.
- There are approximately 3,800 foster families in Wales.
- Every year hundreds of new foster families are needed in Wales.
For more details see the Welsh Government website.