A Closer Look at Foster Care in the UK and Ireland

Foster care is an essential service that provides safety, stability, and nurturing for children who are unable to live with their birth families. Across the United Kingdom and Ireland, foster care forms a cornerstone of the child protection system, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the support and attention they need to thrive. This post explores the structure of foster care in both regions, the types of care available, the challenges the systems face, and the long-term impact on children and carers.

What Is Foster Care?

Foster care is a temporary or long-term arrangement where children are placed with approved families when their birth parents are unable to provide a safe and stable home. The reasons behind these placements vary and can include parental substance misuse, domestic violence, mental health issues, or situations involving neglect or abuse.

The ultimate goal of foster care is to ensure the child’s well-being. In many cases, social services work towards reuniting children with their families once circumstances improve. However, when reunification is not possible, long-term foster care, adoption, or transitioning into independent living becomes the alternative. Foster carers offer more than just a roof over a child’s head; they provide emotional security, guidance, and support during what is often a very difficult period in the child’s life.

Foster Care in the United Kingdom

In the UK, foster care is managed by local authorities as well as independent fostering agencies. While each of the four nations, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has its own regulatory frameworks and oversight bodies, they all adhere to common principles centred around child welfare and safety.

Children can be placed into foster care for various durations. Short-term placements might last a few days or weeks while social workers determine the best long-term solution. Long-term placements, by contrast, can last several years, with the child remaining in the same foster family until adulthood. Emergency placements are used when a child is removed from a dangerous or unstable situation and needs immediate shelter.

Specialist fostering has also grown significantly in the UK. This form of care is designed for children with complex needs, such as physical disabilities, behavioural challenges, or histories of trauma. Carers for these children receive additional training and support. Another growing area is parent and child fostering, where the carer supports a young parent and their baby while professionals assess parenting capacity.

As of 2024, over 57,000 children are in foster care across the UK, and the need for new foster carers remains critical. There is a particular shortage of carers willing to foster teenagers, children with disabilities, and sibling groups, which has led to ongoing recruitment campaigns and increased financial incentives in some regions.

Foster Care in Ireland

In Ireland, foster care falls under the responsibility of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. It is the most commonly used form of out-of-home care in the country. According to Irish Homecare, Ireland has one of the highest rates in Europe for the number of children in care who are placed with foster families, rather than in institutional settings.

Foster placements in Ireland can be short-term, long-term, emergency, or respite-based. Additionally, a significant proportion of placements are classified as relative foster care, where children are placed with extended family members or close family friends. This is often considered the best option when possible, as it preserves existing familial and cultural bonds. Official foster agencies such as Orchard Fostering Ireland are highly regulated and trustworthy.

As of early 2025, approximately 5,000 children are in foster care in Ireland. Despite the system’s strengths, the country faces ongoing difficulties in recruiting new carers. Challenges include a shortage of carers in rural areas, an ageing population of existing carers, and a growing number of children requiring specialised care due to trauma or complex needs.

Tusla provides carers with comprehensive assessments, training, and ongoing support, including supervision from dedicated social workers. However, calls have been made in recent years to streamline the application process and increase the allowances paid to foster families, particularly in light of rising living costs.

The Path to Becoming a Foster Carer

Becoming a foster carer in the UK or Ireland is a structured yet rewarding journey. While the application process can take several months, it is designed to ensure that carers are fully prepared for the challenges and responsibilities of fostering. Authorities are not looking for perfection but rather people who can offer a stable, safe, and loving environment.

Applicants can be single, married, or in a partnership, and they can come from any cultural, religious, or ethnic background. They don’t need to own their home or have children of their own, but they must be over 21 (in most cases) and in good physical and mental health. Crucially, they must demonstrate patience, empathy, and a willingness to work collaboratively with professionals.

The process usually begins with an initial enquiry, followed by home visits from social workers who assess the suitability of the home environment. Prospective carers attend preparatory training sessions—such as the “Skills to Foster” course in the UK or Tusla’s pre-assessment workshops in Ireland—which explore topics like attachment, trauma, child development, and safeguarding.

A comprehensive assessment follows, involving detailed interviews, background checks, and medical evaluations. Social workers compile a Form F (UK) or Assessment Report (Ireland), which is then reviewed by an independent fostering panel. If approved, the carer is registered and matched with children whose needs align with their skills and experience.

Support continues after approval. Foster carers have access to ongoing training, financial allowances, respite breaks, and 24/7 support from social workers or fostering agencies. While fostering can be emotionally demanding, the level of preparation and assistance provided is designed to ensure no carer feels unsupported or alone.

Challenges Within the Foster Care System

Despite the best efforts of child protection agencies, both the UK and Irish foster care systems face ongoing and sometimes critical challenges. A major issue is the persistent shortage of foster carers, especially those willing to care for children with additional needs, teenagers, or sibling groups. This shortage leads to situations where children are moved frequently or placed far from their communities.

Placement instability is a recurring issue, and it can have significant psychological impacts on children. Every move represents a disruption in routine, education, friendships, and emotional bonds. Stability is one of the key predictors of positive outcomes for children in care, so maintaining consistent placements is a priority, but not always achievable.

Financial constraints present another systemic challenge. While allowances are provided, carers in both countries have expressed concerns that rising living costs and insufficient remuneration make long-term fostering unsustainable for some families. Calls for increased funding, better mental health services for children, and streamlined support structures have been widely echoed by charities and advocacy groups.

Positive Outcomes and Long-Term Impact

When done well, foster care changes lives. Children placed in stable, nurturing foster homes can begin to recover from trauma, engage in education, and form healthy relationships. Studies show that children in care who experience stability and emotional support are more likely to complete their schooling, gain employment, and enjoy stronger mental health.

Foster care also fosters growth in the carers themselves. Many describe fostering as one of the most fulfilling experiences of their lives. While it involves challenges, it also brings immense rewards—watching a child thrive, seeing them achieve personal milestones, and knowing they had a hand in helping shape a brighter future.

However, not all outcomes are positive. Children who experience multiple placement breakdowns may face ongoing difficulties with trust, identity, and belonging. This is why improving placement matching, providing therapeutic support, and investing in early intervention services are crucial for ensuring the best possible futures for children in care.

Final Thoughts

Foster care in the UK and Ireland is a vital service that has the power to shape lives. While the systems are far from perfect, they are built on a foundation of compassion and community. Every day, thousands of foster carers provide not just a home, but a sense of belonging and possibility to children who need it most.

As awareness grows and reforms take root, the hope is that more people will step forward to become carers and that children in care will be met with the empathy, support, and stability they deserve. Ultimately, foster care isn’t just about meeting basic needs; it’s about offering love, hope, and a second chance at childhood.