State of the Nation’s Foster Care 2016 The experience of foster carers across the UK Diane Heath Practice Support Consultant The Fostering Network London Conference 30 November 2017

What we did: The survey Largest UK survey of fostering: 2,530 respondents 77% of responses from England Snapshot of the experience of fostering in the UK Monitoring trends and progress (biennial survey)

Why we did it: Understanding the experience of fostering Unique insight into views and experience of fostering Influencing and shaping in 2017 Supporting fostering services Raising awareness outside of fostering community

Why we did it: our vision and mission Vision: “A society where the importance of fostering is recognised, understood and supported” Mission: “To support those who foster, improve opportunities for children and young people who are fostered and provide expert guidance to all fostering services”

What the data tells us: Workforce issues

What the data tells us: Practice issues

Only 55% of foster carers would recommend fostering to others What the data tells us: Views and attitudes Only 55% of foster carers would recommend fostering to others

One change that would help foster carers improve the lives of the children they care for

Using the data Working with our members – service benchmarking Internal priority setting – focusing our resources External influencing and shaping Further research into themes Giving a voice to the community

How can you use the data? Accessing the full report www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy- practice/policies/state-nations-foster-care-2016 Benchmarking your service Service level survey Influencing change at service level Priority setting Regional priorities

What comes after the survey? National media activity Fostering Stocktake and Fostering Inquiry 2018 foster carer survey – monitoring change Social work and fostering service survey

Thank you www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sotn campaigns@fostering.net