Havering Council has welcomed government plans to increase the number of foster carers nationally which will make it easier for more children in care to find loving, caring homes.
The announcement to recruit 10,000 more foster carers nationally and to pump £88m in funding into modernising fostering will help to address the shortage of foster carers not only nationally, but locally.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We are encouraged by the minister and the Department for Education’s announcement (4 February 2026).
“In Havering we have already increased payments to foster carers and offer an attractive package of benefits which includes council tax relief, free access to the borough’s leisure centre for the young people and carers, and free green bin collections, amongst other benefits.
“We want to ensure our children and young people in care live in local homes where it is safe to do so.
"We have been part of the regional fostering arrangements delivered by the Local Community Fostering Greater London East hub partnership since it was formed.”
“Along with Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest councils, Havering children’s services are working collectively to inspire local people like to become foster carers”
The new rules will make it clearer about who can apply to become a foster carer and break some myths to highlight that single people, people who are not married, don’t work full-time or those who are not homeowners can also foster.
It will also aim to improve the time taken to approve foster carers and place children.
The new plans will help to reduce the number of children having to go into care homes because of the lack of suitable homes and reduce the number of times they are moved around in foster placements.
The number of children in care has risen in Havering, while the number of people coming forward to foster has declined.
Councillor Ford, added:
“We don’t want anyone to rule themselves out so please do come and talk to us.
“Although the rules are changing, it doesn’t mean that the standards will drop.
"There will still be rigorous checks to ensure the safety of the children, which is paramount, as well as crucial training and ongoing support for carers.
“We have a number of ambassadors and highly trained staff onboard to welcome new people and help them in their new role.”