Plan to replace 31 fostering standards with seven awaits government response

A Department for Education consultation on rewriting the national standards and statutory guidance for fostering services in England closed on 16 September 2026, with the government's response promised for the autumn. The ten-week consultation, launched on 8 July, is a main plank of the department's Renewing Fostering action plan.

Under the proposals, the 31 Fostering Services National Minimum Standards from 2011 would be replaced by seven outcome-focused Quality Standards, and the current Training, Support and Development Standards would become seven Foster Carer Development Standards covering a carer's first year after approval. The DfE says the rewrite would cut more than 185 pages of guidance to around 80, folding the Children Act 1989 Volume 4 guidance and the 2013 assessment and approval guidance into one document.

The draft also proposes a dedicated standard on allegations, separating them from standards-of-care concerns and expecting services to keep paying carers during investigations; tougher requirements for panel chairs, who would need at least three years' post-qualifying social work experience; and a 28-day window in which carers who give notice to resign could withdraw it. The consultation document cites 4,690 mainstream fostering households deregistering in 2024/25 as part of its case for change.

The Fostering Network welcomed the draft as a shift to a more relational approach, with carers treated as equal partners and given more delegated authority over everyday decisions. Its director for England, James Copeland, said the charity wants fees paid for 52 weeks a year, stronger guidance on the police role in allegations and more investment in Staying Put.

What this means for you: the new standards would apply to every council fostering service and independent agency in England, and Ofsted is revising its inspection framework to align with them. Nothing changes until the final version is issued. The DfE's implementation plan lists the standards for updating from autumn 2026 and says the national minimum allowance and tax relief will also be reviewed.