Social Work Week: Why Fostering Must Stay at the Heart of Children’s Social Care

Social Work Week is a time dedicated to recognising and celebrating the vital, life‑changing work of social care professionals across the country. I’ve been reflecting on what I wanted to focus on in this article. There are so many important issues facing the sector right now, and each one deserves attention. But when I paused and thought about why I chose this industry in the first place, the answer kept bringing me back to something deeply personal.

I grew up in a family that were proud foster carers. Both my nan and my mum have fostered for over 40 years, and I’ve seen first‑hand the difference a stable, loving home can make to a child who has known uncertainty. And I’ve seen the incredible transformation that happens when a child finally feels safe.

Those experiences shaped me. They influenced my career. And they underpin my belief that social care, at its best, is about relationships, belonging, and giving every child a chance to thrive.

Why Fostering Still Matters

Fostering has always been the backbone of children’s social care. But today, it faces pressures unlike any we’ve seen before. The number of children needing care continues to rise, while the number of available foster carers continues to fall. Recruitment is a challenge. Retention is an even bigger one.

This isn’t just a system‑wide issue; it affects real children every day.

When foster placements aren’t available locally, children are moved away from their communities. Siblings are separated. Schools are disrupted. Relationships are fractured. The impact is profound.

It’s a concern that sits at the heart of the current reform agenda. Josh MacAlister, whose independent review continues to spark national debate, has been clear about the urgency:

“Reversing the decline in the number of available foster places is an urgent priority for me.”

He’s right. Because fostering isn’t simply about providing a bed, it’s about providing a home & a sense of identity.

Across my career, I’ve asked countless social workers why they chose this profession. Almost every answer comes back to the same idea:

To make a difference.
To be there for someone.
To give every child safety.

That’s exactly what foster carers do every single day.

A System Rooted in Love and Stability

One of the most powerful statements to emerge from MacAlister’s review was his belief that the care system must be rebuilt on a bedrock of strong, meaningful relationships:

“My first priority is building a care system rooted in love and stability.”

It’s a simple statement, but an important one because it shifts the conversation from structures to people, and from processes to relationships.

Foster carers embody this vision. They provide stability when children need it most, and they do it with determination, empathy, and patience.

And yet, the system often doesn’t make it easy for them.

Many leave because they feel unsupported. Some cite the emotional toll. Others feel undervalued. When that happens, we don’t just lose placements, we lose experience, wisdom, and stability that can’t easily be replaced.

So while recruitment campaigns are essential, retention must remain the other half of the conversation. If we want a vibrant, sustainable fostering workforce, we must invest in the people who already give so much.

A Week to Celebrate — But Also to Challenge

Social Work Week gives us a platform to celebrate the extraordinary dedication of social workers and foster carers. But it should also push us to ask harder questions:

• How do we ensure foster carers feel valued as equal partners, not an afterthought?
• How do we build professional networks around carers so they don’t feel alone in difficult moments?
• How do we retain the incredible people who make fostering possible in the first place?
• And most importantly: how do we ensure that every child who needs a family can grow up in one?

As MacAlister put it so simply and powerfully:

“Fostering changes lives – not just for children who need safety, stability and love.”

It changes the lives of carers too.

A Personal Thank You

As someone whose childhood was shaped by seeing the impact of foster carers, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to every foster carer and social worker who continues to show up for children and families. Your commitment, compassion, and resilience make a profound difference often in ways you may never fully see. The work you do matters, and its impact lasts far beyond the moments you’re present for.

Happy Social Work Week, all.