The number of children entering foster care with complex needs has risen by more than a third in a single year, new Freedom of Information data suggests.
Figures gathered by National Fostering Group indicate that increasing numbers of children are entering care with physical disabilities, trauma-related needs, neurodiverse conditions and emotional or behavioural challenges.
The rise is placing additional pressure on an already stretched pool of foster carers, particularly those with the experience and skills required to support children with more complex needs.
National Fostering Group said people who have previously worked in teaching, nursing, social care, healthcare or the emergency services can be particularly well suited to the role.
Around 28 per cent of foster carers previously worked in healthcare or public sector roles, but demand for carers with these backgrounds continues to grow.
Tim Barclay, chief executive officer of National Fostering Group, said: “The children coming into care today have increasingly complex needs, and the system needs carers who are ready to meet them. What this data shows is not just a numbers problem, it is a skills challenge.
“People who have spent their careers in nursing, teaching, social work or the emergency services already have so much of what it takes. They understand trauma, they know how to stay calm under pressure, and they have the instinct to put someone else’s needs first. We want them to know that fostering is a natural next step, not a leap into the unknown.”
The organisation said foster carers receive training, ongoing professional development and access to specialist support.
Carers can also receive a tax-free allowance of up to £24,500 a year, with higher payments available when supporting children with complex needs.
Corrina, 49, and Stuart, 46, from Burnley, became foster carers in 2020.
Corrina, a former teacher with more than 25 years of experience in early years and Key Stage 1 education, was matched with two brothers who had experienced several previous placements and needed a long-term home. One of the brothers is neurodivergent.
She said: “I knew they needed more than structure. They needed safety, reassurance, and time. Fostering older children showed me that they need the same level of care as younger ones, even if it looks different.
“My teaching background gave me the tools to create that environment, but it was the training and support from NFG that gave me the confidence to use them. Even a short placement can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”