GovWire

The collection for 2021 to 2022 is now closed. The 2022 to 2023 collection will open in April 2023. Guidance for that collection is available for reference.

View a training webinar on the system.

Agencies: if you would like to get a login for the training webinar, find out more or send us your feedback, please email SocialCareData@ofsted.gov.uk.

About Ofsteds fostering data collection

Each year Ofsted asks local authority fostering services and independent fostering agencies for data about their fostering services. This is the only national data collection that provides an overview of the fostering landscape.

We ask all 151 local authority fostering agencies and around 280 independent fostering agencies (IFAs) to provide data on:

• characteristics of foster carers
• terms of approval of fostering households
• capacity and the use of fostering places
• recruitment and retention of fostering households
• data on complaints, allegations and numbers of brother and sister placements

This provides a unique insight into a sector that affects the majority of children in care.