Diagrama FoundationThere has been significant media discussion about proposed changes to fostering. While we are still taking 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 – and the support they need to do it well.
At Diagrama Fostering, we work alongside outstanding foster carers who provide safe, nurturing homes for children with very complex life experiences. Our carers come from a wide range of backgrounds: some work full time alongside fostering, some part time, and others live in rented accommodation rather than owning their own homes. What unites them is not their circumstances, but their commitment, skill, and ability to put children’s needs first.
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. Proposals include updating regulations that, in some cases, have restricted fostering to married homeowners who do not work full time. The aim is to make fostering more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds and life situations.
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 additional £88 million has been announced to help overhaul the fostering system and increase the availability of family-based care.
These proposals come in response to a serious shortage of foster carers. Numbers have fallen from 63,890 in 2021 to 56,345 in March 2025, with 1,140 fewer foster placements available in the past year alone. As a result, many children are being placed in residential homes, which are often more costly and less suited to providing long-term stability.
Any review that shines a spotlight on fostering and recognises the urgent need for more carers is welcome. However, it is vital to remain realistic about the demands of the role. Children who need fostering have often experienced trauma and instability from a very young age. They require carers who can offer time, emotional availability, consistency, and patience, alongside strong professional support from their fostering agency.
We would therefore 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 benefits no one. What foster carers need most is excellent, consistent support – something we know is central to positive outcomes and something Diagrama prioritises.
There has also been public debate about profits within fostering. Diagrama is a not-for-profit organisation, and every penny we receive is reinvested directly into supporting vulnerable children and the foster families who care for them. We believe this model plays an important role in ensuring quality, stability, and ethical practice across the sector.
We note the government’s intention to reduce reliance on profit-making providers, strengthen local authority capacity, and explore regional collaboration models like adoption. Not-for-profit organisations like Diagrama have a valuable role to play in supporting these ambitions and ensuring children’s needs 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.
