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England Revamps Foster Care System to Prioritize Family

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. mps-foster-care-system-to-prioritize-family.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 2:38 GMT by Manchester Evening News
      Locales: England, UNITED KINGDOM

London, England - February 4th, 2026 - A sweeping change to fostering legislation in England came into effect today, marking a significant shift in how vulnerable children are placed into care. The new rules, spearheaded by the Department for Education (DoE), prioritize placement with family members and former carers, aiming to drastically reduce reliance on external foster care arrangements.

The current care system in England is facing a mounting crisis. A considerable backlog of children requiring care has placed immense strain on resources and fostered concerns about the quality of support offered. While the intent of the existing system is to provide safe and nurturing environments, critics have pointed to the often disruptive impact of removing children from all familiar connections, even if temporary. This new legislation seeks to address that very issue.

Under the new framework, fostering agencies are mandated to exhaust all avenues for placing children with relatives - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - or individuals who have previously provided care for the child, before considering placements with external, unrelated foster carers. The rationale behind this 'priority for family' approach is multi-faceted. Firstly, maintaining a connection to family, even extended family, is believed to provide children with a sense of stability, belonging, and cultural continuity during a deeply unsettling time. Secondly, it is hoped the move will alleviate the pressure on an increasingly overburdened system, as family placements often require less intensive and costly support services than those involving unfamiliar carers.

"We've long advocated for strengthening family bonds where possible," explained Sarah Chen, a social policy analyst with the Children's Rights Coalition. "The trauma experienced by children entering care is immense. Keeping them connected to people they already know and trust can significantly mitigate that trauma and contribute to better long-term outcomes."

However, the rule change isn't without its complexities. Annette Leach, a spokesperson for The Fostering Network, voiced cautious optimism. "We welcome the focus on family and former carers; it's absolutely right that those with existing relationships with the child are considered first," Leach stated. "But we also know that family relationships can be complex and sometimes, despite best intentions, the best place for a child is with a professional foster carer who has specialist skills and experience." The network has raised concerns about ensuring adequate support and training for all carers, regardless of their connection to the child. Family members stepping into fostering roles may require assistance in navigating the legal, financial, and emotional challenges inherent in providing long-term care.

The government has pledged increased funding for training and support services specifically tailored to kinship carers - those providing care to children who are related to them. This includes financial assistance to cover the costs of accommodation, education, and other essential needs. However, some advocacy groups argue that the funding commitment is insufficient to address the scale of the challenge. They also point to the need for streamlined assessment processes to avoid delays in placing children with family members.

The long-term impact of the legislation remains to be seen. Initial pilot programs in several local authorities demonstrated a modest increase in family placements, but also highlighted the need for proactive recruitment of kinship carers and robust support systems. A key challenge will be addressing situations where family members are willing but unable to provide full-time care. In these cases, innovative solutions such as shared care arrangements or respite support may be necessary.

The DoE anticipates that this new legislation will not only improve outcomes for vulnerable children but also contribute to a more sustainable and effective care system. They hope to see a decrease in the number of children entering long-term external foster care and an increase in the number of children thriving within their family networks. The success of this initiative will depend on collaborative efforts between the government, fostering agencies, and community organizations to ensure that every child receives the care and support they deserve.