Fostering
Councils are developing strategies to increase local foster care provision and improve commissioning of services for children in care.
Redbridge Council's Cabinet approved a Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 in September 2026, addressing accommodation for children in care amid market pressures and rising costs. Lambeth Council aims for 90% of children in its care to be looked after by local foster carers by 2030, a target discussed by its Children's Services Scrutiny Sub-Committee in September 2026. Barking and Dagenham Council's Cabinet approved its Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy 2026-2030 in July 2026 to provide sufficient, high-quality placements.
Bromley Council is establishing a new framework for independent fostering agencies, seeking £29 million over four years to enhance commissioning and quality assurance, as reported in June 2026. Islington's Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee agreed in June 2026 to focus its upcoming review on looked-after children, with an emphasis on fostering. Bexley's Children's Services is undergoing a transformation to improve commissioning and manage costs for placements, as identified in February 2026.
Fostering provides a stable home for children who cannot live with their birth families. Councils are working to ensure sufficient placements and support for these children, with Barnet Council's Cabinet adopting new fostering policies in February 2026 and its Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee receiving updates from a fostering task and finish group in January 2026.
Key facts
- Redbridge Council's Cabinet approved the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 on 17 September 2026. Source
- Lambeth Council aims for 90% of children in its care to be looked after by local foster carers by 2030. Source
- Barking and Dagenham Council's Cabinet approved the Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy 2026-2030 on 14 July 2026. Source
- Bromley Council seeks £29 million over four years for a new framework for independent fostering agencies. Source
- Islington's Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee agreed on 29 June 2026 to focus its upcoming review on fostering. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.