Presented by Apex Fostering
What is the
'Miles for Home'
Walk?
Across the UK, we need 5,000 more loving homes for children and young people in care.
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Right now, too many are being moved away from their communities, schools, and support systems — not because they should be, but because there aren’t enough foster carers.
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This September, we’re walking from Southend-on-Sea to London over three days to raise awareness of the fostering crisis and the need for more homes.
Along the way, we’re inviting carers, social workers, and people curious about fostering to join us for part of the journey — to walk, talk, and be part of the conversation.
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We’ll be sharing these conversations as we go, bringing real voices and real experiences into the spotlight.
Why It's Important Now
These challenges form the context in which 'File Not Found' is created.
England’s fostering system is under sustained pressure. The number of approved foster carers has declined for four consecutive years, with 7,545 carers lost since 2021. As a result, many children are placed far from their local communities or separated from siblings due to a lack of suitable placements. These pressures are increasingly highlighted in national reports from organisations such as Ofsted and The Fostering Network.
Increasing Pressure on the UK Foster System
Across England, the system urgently requires around 5,000 new foster families to meet current demand. Without enough carers, more children are placed in residential settings rather than family homes. Today, over 27,000 young people live in residential care, and this number continues to rise. Recruiting and supporting more foster carers is critical to ensuring children can grow up in stable, supportive environments.
Need For Carers
Young people leaving care continue to face significant structural challenges. Care leavers are disproportionately represented in homelessness, unemployment, and the criminal justice system. Research shows that care leavers make up around 24% of the UK prison population and one in four rough sleepers, while 39% are not in education, employment or training. These outcomes highlight the importance of stronger support systems as young people transition out of care.
Lacking Support for Care-Leavers
The UK government’s “Stable Homes, Built on Love” strategy, launched in 2023, aims to reform children’s social care through earlier support for families and more stable placements for children. However, many elements of the reform — particularly those affecting fostering — are still being tested through pilot programmes and new legislation. With national policy discussions ongoing, this is a crucial moment to ensure care-experienced voices are included in shaping the conversation.
Children's Social Care Reforms
Why It's Important Now
Increasing Pressure on the UK Foster System
England’s fostering system is under sustained pressure. The number of approved foster carers has declined for four consecutive years, with 7,545 carers lost since 2021. As a result, many children are placed far from their local communities or separated from siblings due to a lack of suitable placements. These pressures are increasingly highlighted in national reports from organisations such as Ofsted and The Fostering Network.
1
Need For Carers
Across England, the system urgently requires around 5,000 new foster families to meet current demand. Without enough carers, more children are placed in residential settings rather than family homes. Today, over 27,000 young people live in residential care, and this number continues to rise. Recruiting and supporting more foster carers is critical to ensuring children can grow up in stable, supportive environments.
2
Lacking Support for Care-Leavers
Young people leaving care continue to face significant structural challenges. Care leavers are disproportionately represented in homelessness, unemployment, and the criminal justice system. Research shows that care leavers make up around 24% of the UK prison population and one in four rough sleepers, while 39% are not in education, employment or training. These outcomes highlight the importance of stronger support systems as young people transition out of care.
3
Children's Social Care Reforms
The UK government’s “Stable Homes, Built on Love” strategy, launched in 2023, aims to reform children’s social care through earlier support for families and more stable placements for children. However, many elements of the reform — particularly those affecting fostering — are still being tested through pilot programmes and new legislation. With national policy discussions ongoing, this is a crucial moment to ensure care-experienced voices are included in shaping the conversation.
4
Get Involved
We're excited to hear from you!