Threads / Fostering System Reform / Renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children
Policy Paper Published 4 Feb 2026 Department for Education ↗ View on GOV.UK

Renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children

Sets out the steps required to address the sharp decline in foster carers over the past decade and reform the foster care system.

▤ Verbatim text from source document

This document sets out the challenges in the fostering system, the government’s vision for the future of fostering and an action plan describing how we will build it.

It focuses on the following areas:

  • England-wide action to expand fostering
  • enhanced regional collaboration
  • innovation to improve outcomes for children
  • stronger support around foster families
  • a simpler rulebook that puts trusted relationships first

We have also published a:

We want to identify innovative ideas and seek views on how we can improve the foster care system to develop future reform proposals.

Alongside this plan, we have published a regional care cooperatives policy paper.