Four things you need to know about the UK care system
Every 15 minutes, a child goes into care in the UK. From that moment, their whole world is turned upside down.
They’ve often already faced huge challenges in their young lives. And now they’re in care, the world can see them differently. With the number of children going into care rising, we’re sharing four things you should know about the UK care system – from how many extra foster families are needed in the UK to the percentage of siblings separated in care.
Last year, we helped 765,905 families, children, and young people. With your help, we could reach more.
Right now, there are 104,680 children in care in the UK.
In England, the number is at an all-time high with 83,840 children in the care system – an increase of 2% from 2022. In Scotland, there are 12,596 looked after children, 7,080 in Wales, and 3,801 in Northern Ireland.
The number of children in the care system in Northern Ireland is currently the highest number since the introduction of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
Children and young people go into care for a multitude of reasons. The most common reasons are abuse and neglect, with over 60% of children in care having suffered neglect and abuse at home.
However, poverty often plays a role. A study published in June 2022 highlighted that ‘child poverty has emerged as a key risk factor for children entering care’. This makes the threat of the cost-of-living crisis and the devastating impact this is having on families even more pertinent.
Current figures show that over a third of care leavers in the UK aren’t in education, training, or employment. In 2022, this compared to just 11% of peers who weren’t care experienced.
At Action for Children, we want to rectify this imbalance of opportunity between care leavers and children without care experience. One way we do this is through our Inspire IT programme. In partnership with DELL Technologies, we help to connect thousands of young people with the technology and training they need to access education and the resources they need to learn and grow.
Increasing demand for care placements is putting pressure on the care system. The result is a devastating struggle to keep siblings together.
An estimated 37% of children with a sibling in England – that is 20,000 children – are separated from a sibling when placed in care
The Children’s Commissioner, January 2023
With the increasing number of children entering the care system, it is no surprise that there is rising demand for foster families in the UK. Currently, ‘nearly 70,000 children are living with almost 55,000 foster families’.
In 2022, just over four fifths, or 83 per cent, of the children in care in Northern Ireland were in foster placements. In England, this number was 70%.
Wales had the highest proportion of children in care without foster families in March 2022, with only 69% of children in care living with foster families.
The Fostering Network
For over 150 years we've been here to help give children the safe and happy childhoods they deserve. Thanks to amazing people like you, we support over 50,000 children and young people in, or with experience of, the care system each year. We understand the challenges they face and the love it takes to make things better. But we couldn't do it without you're support.
Last year, we helped 765,905 families, children, and young people. With your help, we could reach more.
Frequently asked questions
How many children are in care in the UK?
Approximately 104,680.
How is social care funded in the UK?
Children’s social care and services are funded through national grants to local authorities. Most of this funding is not ring-fenced for children however, and local authorities (LA) can decide how they divide their spending between children and adults.
How many children enter and leave care each year?
In England, 33,000 children entered the care system in 2023, a 6% increase from 2022. 31,680 children left the care system in 2023.
