There are just over 70,000 children and young people living away from home in public care on any given day in the UK, almost 50,000 of whom live with 43,000 foster families. The Fostering Network estimates that a further 10,000 foster carers are needed across the UK.

The statistics below are the latest available from the relevant government departments in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They provide a picture of the care system on just one day of the year. Many more children and young people move in and out of public care over the course of 12 months.

England

  • 60,000 children looked after on 31 March 2007

  • Over two thirds of these children (42,300 or 70 per cent) were living with foster carers

  • There are approximately 37,000 foster carers in England

  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 8,200 foster carers

Northern Ireland

  • 2,436 children looked after on 31 March 2006

  • Over half of these children (1,409 or 58 per cent) were living with foster carers

  • There are approximately 1,346 foster carers in Northern Ireland

  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 350 foster carers

Scotland

  • 5,716 children looked after away from home on 31 March 2007

  • Over two-thirds of these children (4,055 or 71 per cent) were living with foster families

  • There are approximately 3,200 foster families in Scotland

  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 1,700 foster carers

Wales

  • 4,640 children looked after on 31 March 2007

  • Three quarters of these children (3,465 or 75 per cent) were living with foster carers

  • There are approximately 1,900 foster carers in Wales

  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 750 foster carers

“As my own parents have been foster carers since I was very young, I know from long experience what a fantastic job foster carers do.”

Coleen McLoughlin