Government data has revealed that in the period between April 2022 and March 2023, a higher number of foster carers deregistered than joined the role, in 22 London boroughs.
The borough with the highest percentage of deregistrations is Croydon, where 22% of the total care households gave up the responsibility.
This was followed by Hounslow and Camden, with 21% and 20% respectively.
The data, compiled by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED), also shows that while many individuals across London made initial inquiries into becoming carers, or foster households, far fewer applications were made to register.
According to The Fostering Network, a London based charity, foster care is often a temporary action, where a child is placed under the care of a government approved household.
This can be a short term measure, for example in the case of emergencies, where a child needs somewhere to stay for a night, but it can also be more permanent, sometimes lasting until the child is an adult.
The Fostering Network charity says carers should have more support from government
The charity, which is in charge of UK fostering strategy, has called on the government to increase support for existing carers "to ensure they are adequately and consistently supported". They suggest this be done through full training as well as compensation "to cover the full costs of caring for a child and their time, expertise and skills."
The cost of being a carer during a cost of living crisis has been recognised by Hammersmith and Fulham council, who, at the end of last week, announced that all foster carers are exempt from paying council tax.
Sarah Thomas, chief executive of Foster Care Network said: “The Ofsted data indicates that these annual losses will continue unless urgent action of a much greater scale is taken.”
On Monday, Greenwich council made an urgent call for more foster carers, due to the high number of children without foster care.
Cllr Matt Morrow, cabinet member for children and young people, said “Sadly we’re experiencing a real lack of new foster carers coming forward, meaning the council has to use expensive agencies and place young people miles away from where they live, which isn’t ideal for anyone.”
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Standfirst
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HeadlineThe number of foster carers has fallen in almost all London boroughs
Short HeadlineAlmost all London boroughs have lost foster carers
StandfirstA London based charity is calling on the government to increase carer retention.
Government data has revealed that in the period between April 2022 and March 2023, a higher number of foster carers deregistered than joined the role, in 22 London boroughs.
The borough with the highest percentage of deregistrations is Croydon, where 22% of the total care households gave up the responsibility.
This was followed by Hounslow and Camden, with 21% and 20% respectively.
The data, compiled by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED), also shows that while many individuals across London made initial inquiries into becoming carers, or foster households, far fewer applications were made to register.
According to The Fostering Network, a London based charity, foster care is often a temporary action, where a child is placed under the care of a government approved household.
This can be a short term measure, for example in the case of emergencies, where a child needs somewhere to stay for a night, but it can also be more permanent, sometimes lasting until the child is an adult.
The Fostering Network charity says carers should have more support from government
The charity, which is in charge of UK fostering strategy, has called on the government to increase support for existing carers "to ensure they are adequately and consistently supported". They suggest this be done through full training as well as compensation "to cover the full costs of caring for a child and their time, expertise and skills."
The cost of being a carer during a cost of living crisis has been recognised by Hammersmith and Fulham council, who, at the end of last week, announced that all foster carers are exempt from paying council tax.
Sarah Thomas, chief executive of Foster Care Network said: “The Ofsted data indicates that these annual losses will continue unless urgent action of a much greater scale is taken.”
On Monday, Greenwich council made an urgent call for more foster carers, due to the high number of children without foster care.
Cllr Matt Morrow, cabinet member for children and young people, said “Sadly we’re experiencing a real lack of new foster carers coming forward, meaning the council has to use expensive agencies and place young people miles away from where they live, which isn’t ideal for anyone.”
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