Submitted by Diagrama, which subscribes to New Family Social's services:

The government has announced plans to relax fostering rules and cut red tape in a bid to create 10,000 new foster placements for vulnerable children in England. Current regulations - which in some areas restrict fostering to married homeowners who don't work full-time - will be updated to make it easier for full-time workers and people from diverse backgrounds to become foster carers. Additional measures include clearer guidance for prospective carers, practical support for home improvements such as extensions, and closer regional collaboration to streamline training, approvals, and placements. An extra £88 million will be invested to overhaul the fostering system and increase the availability of family-based care.

The move comes in response to a critical shortage of foster carers, with numbers falling from 63,890 in 2021 to 56,345 in March 2025, and 1,140 fewer foster placements available in the last year alone. Ministers highlight that many children are instead being placed in residential homes, which are more expensive and less suitable for long-term development. The proposals also aim to provide better day-to-day support for carers, including programmes such as Mockingbird, which connects foster families for advice, respite, and mutual support. The plans are intended to encourage more people to step forward while ensuring that children receive stable, loving, and appropriate family care.

Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption, Diagrama Foundation, responds to the announcement:

'There is a great deal of discussion in the media today about proposed changes to fostering, and while we need time to fully digest the detail, what feels most important right now is to be clear and proud about the work foster carers already do.

'At Diagrama Fostering, we work with outstanding foster carers who provide safe, nurturing homes to children with very complex life experiences. Some of our carers work full time alongside fostering, some part time, others live in rented accommodation rather than owning their own homes. What unites them is their commitment, skill, and ability to put children’s needs first.

'Children who need fostering have often experienced trauma and instability from a very young age. They require carers who can dedicate time, emotional energy, and consistency, alongside strong professional support from their fostering agency. Any review that shines a spotlight on fostering and recognises the urgent need for more carers is welcome, but we must also remain realistic about the demands of the role.

'We would be cautious about any move to overly relax assessment or approval processes. Robust systems exist to safeguard children and carers alike and weakening these risks poor practice and an increase in allegations, which helps no one. What foster carers need is excellent, consistent support, something we know is central to good outcomes and something Diagrama prioritises.

'There have been suggestions that some independent fostering agencies make significant profits. At Diagrama, this is not the case – we are a not-for-profit organisation and every penny we receive is reinvested directly into supporting vulnerable children and their foster families.

'We note the government’s intention to reduce reliance on profit-making providers, encourage greater local authority capacity, and explore regional collaboration models similar to adoption. Not-for-profit organisations like Diagrama have a valuable role to play in supporting these ambitions and ensuring quality and stability remain at the heart of fostering.

'We will continue to review the proposals in detail and look forward to contributing constructively to discussions and consultations about how best to support children, foster carers, and the wider fostering system.'