UK Fostering and Adoption Statistics

Behind every statistic is a life, a family and a future.

This page brings together the latest national data on fostering and adoption across the UK, providing a clear overview of the current landscape. 

From the number of looked after children in and those living with foster families, to adoption figures and placement stability, these statistics will help illustrate both the scale of need and the importance of stable, supportive homes.

All of the below data is sourced from trusted national sources including the Department for Education, The Fostering Network and the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We believe that understanding the facts is a vital step towards creating a better future for children and young people across the UK.

Over 100,000 children are currently looked after  across the UK.

Source: UK Government – Children Looked After in England, including adoptions
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions

Around 69,000 children are living with foster families across the UK.

Source: The Fostering Network – Fostering Statistics
https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/about-fostering/what-is-fostering/fostering-statistics/

Around 2,900 children are waiting for adoption in England.

Source: UK Government – Adoption statistics (DfE)
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions

Around 10% of children in care experience three or more placements in one year.

Source: UK Government / CoramBAAF placement stability data
https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/statistics/

38% of children in care are aged 10–15.

Source: UK Government – Ethnicity Facts and Figures
https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/health/social-care/adopted-and-looked-after-children/latest

NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN CARE – UK OVERVIEW

Total children looked after in the UK: approx. 104,000+

Source: UK Government (DfE)
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions

By nation:
• England: approx. 81,700
Source: Department for Education (DfE)

• Scotland: approx. 11,800
Source: Scottish Government – Looked After Children Statistics
https://www.gov.scot/collections/looked-after-children-statistics/

• Wales: approx. 7,200
Source: Welsh Government – Children Looked After
https://www.gov.wales/children-looked-after

• Northern Ireland: approx. 4,000
Source: Northern Ireland Department of Health
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/looked-after-children

FOSTERING STATISTICS

Total fostering households UK-wide: approx. 52,000

Source: The Fostering Network
https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/about-fostering/what-is-fostering/fostering-statistics/

• England: approx. 42,000 foster families
• Scotland: approx. 2,800
• Wales: approx. 3,500
• Northern Ireland: approx. 3,100

Source:
The Fostering Network and respective devolved governments.

ADOPTION STATISTICS

Children adopted from care in England last year: approx. 3,000

Source: Department for Education (DfE)
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions

• Average time between entering care and adoption placement: approx. 1 year 7 months
Source: UK Government (DfE)

PLACEMENT STABILITY

Around 69% of children in care experience only one placement per year.

Around 10% experience three or more placements.

Source:

UK Government / CoramBAAF
https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/statistics/

SOURCES SUMMARY

• Department for Education (DfE)
• Explore Education Statistics (UK Government)
• The Fostering Network
• CoramBAAF
• Scottish Government
• Welsh Government
• Northern Ireland Department of Health
• UK Ethnicity Facts & Figures