how many children are currently in foster care?
There are around 4875 children currently in foster care in Wales (31st March 2024)
Source: (gov.wales)
is the number of children in foster care in wales increasing?
Over the last 7 years (2018-2024) the number of children in foster care in Wales has increased by 3.7%.
Source: (gov.wales)
how many children need a foster carer in Wales each year?
In just 12 months (April 2023- March 2024) 2042 children in Wales needed a foster carer.
are more children cared for by local authority foster carers or foster agency carers?
In Wales, in around 74% of new foster placements (April 2023-March 2024) the children were cared for by local authority foster carers.
where are children fostered?
In Wales, 69% of children cared for by private fostering agencies are fostered outside their local area, and 10% are moved out of Wales entirely. Meanwhile, 85% of those living with local authority foster carers stay within their own local area, close to home, to school, to family and friends. (March 2024)
what does looked-after mean?
The term “looked-after” refers to children where local authority social services departments are involved with their family and have a say in their care, but this can cover a variety of living arrangements including:
- foster care
- residential care
- independent living
- and living with family under local authority supervision.
what age are the children who need foster care in wales?
In March 2024, of the 7200 children looked-after in Wales (see above)
- 18.5% were age 0-4 (1335)
- 39% were age 10-15 (2835).
- There are slightly higher numbers of boys than girls
Around 68% of children looked-after in Wales are in foster care.
Source: (gov.wales)
how many children return home, leave care or are adopted?
In 2024, 695 children previously looked-after returned to family or special guardian (other than previous foster carers). 255 had an adoption order granted. 305 moved to independent living.
Source: (gov.wales)
how many foster carers are there in wales?
According to The Fostering Network, there are approximately 3,800 foster families in Wales.
68% are foster carers with their local authority. Around 2600 foster carers, and family and friends carers, are part of Foster Wales.
Source: The Fostering Network
