Mainstream foster carer joiners and leavers, by type, 2017/18–2023/24

Source: Institute for Government analysis of Ofsted, 'Fostering in England', 2018–2024.Notes: Foster carers that local authorities or independent fostering agencies employ are often referred to as 'mainstream' carers, as they look after children they do not already know. Family and friends carers, by contrast, are approved to look after specific children they already know. The number of joiners minus the number of leavers does not equal the net gain of foster carers in any given year - some carers leave and join within the same year. Joiners were not broken down by type in a comparable way prior to 2018/19. Analysis covers England only.Get the data Download image
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