In February 2026, the Government published a policy paper: Renewing fostering – homes for 10,000 more children. This paper sets out the Government’s plan to improve foster services by reversing the sharp decline in foster parents and rebuilding a fostering system capable of providing 10,000 additional homes for children in England.
A declining number of foster placements is a significant issue because fewer placements lead to increased use of unregulated settings, higher instability and increased safeguarding risk.
The paper identifies several problems within the current foster care system:
A future is envisioned where every child who needs foster care has access to a stable, loving home, and foster carers are well supported, valued and retained. An increase in available foster placements means that children who cannot remain at home or live with their wider family can, where appropriate, remain in their local area and maintain their family relationships. The system will be simplified, with greater regional collaboration and innovation to improve outcomes for children.
To achieve this, the Government has set out a five‑stage Action Plan:
1. National‑scale actions to expand fostering
This includes a nationwide communications campaign to raise awareness of fostering and ensure that prospective foster carers clearly understand what is involved and what will happen when they apply. There will be a focus on increasing capacity in areas with the greatest shortages of foster carers, reducing reliance on emergency placements which can increase safeguarding risks.
2. Enhanced regional collaboration
There will be stronger collaboration between local authorities, with shared approaches to recruitment, training and placement planning.
3. Innovation to improve outcomes
The Government will encourage new models of care and support to strengthen relationships, improve stability and enhance outcomes for children and young people.
4. Stronger support around foster families
There will be improved wraparound support for carers and children, as well as enhancements to training, supervision and crisis support. Improved support may also reduce the likelihood of allegations escalating due to miscommunication or unmet need.
5. A simpler rulebook
Regulations and guidance around foster care will be streamlined, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and ensuring the rules prioritise trusted, stable relationships.
The first stage of this programme was a consultation on fostering reform, looking at proposed changes to the assessment of foster carers and the handling of allegations of abuse.
The consultation proposes significant reform to the way allegations of abuse and standards‑of‑care concerns are handled, with the aim of creating a more proportionate, transparent and consistent national approach. The Government recognises that allegations can be stressful and disruptive for foster carers and children and wants to ensure that there is better support for both children and carers.
A key proposal is the introduction of a clear distinction between allegations of abuse and standards‑of‑care concerns. This distinction is intended to prevent minor practice issues being escalated into formal safeguarding investigations, which can be distressing for carers and destabilising for children. For abuse‑related allegations, the proposals emphasise faster decision‑making, clearer communication, and improved support for both the child and the carer. Suggested reforms include only removing children where there is a safeguarding concern or where the child requests to be moved, and ensuring faster and more transparent investigations.
There have also been two calls for evidence relating to the reforms, including one seeking the views of children and young people themselves. Including young people’s views at this stage reflects a wider shift towards embedding lived experience in safeguarding reform.
The consultation and calls for evidence closed on 17 March.
The Government has launched a strategic, system‑wide plan aimed at rebuilding fostering provision in England, improving consistency, ensuring access to the most appropriate homes for children, and strengthening the way allegations of abuse within foster placements are managed.
For those involved in safeguarding, risk management and abuse‑related claims, the proposed reforms — particularly the clearer categorisation of concerns and the emphasis on proportionality — may have significant implications for how allegations are investigated, recorded and defended. If implemented, the reforms could reduce unnecessary escalation, improve evidential clarity, and support more consistent decision‑making across local authorities and fostering agencies.
Keoghs will provide further updates as the consultation and reforms progress.
Author: Anna Churchill - Associate
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