Government to strengthen fostering standards and guidance so abuse allegations handled in more proportionate way

The online consultation ran for a period of six weeks, from 4 February 2026 to 17 March 2026. The DfE received a total of 645 responses to the online questionnaire, and an additional 14 written responses.

The consultation sought views on the following proposals:

Amending the role of fostering panels and strengthening quality assurance standards within the assessment process.
Improving the handling of allegations of abuse and standards of care concerns against foster carers.

Outlining its key findings in relation to the first proposal, the DfE said: “Responses showed strong support for retaining panels to ensure independent oversight.

“Most respondents considered panels to add value, particularly in: safeguarding, assuring assessment quality and providing diverse and independent perspectives into decision-making.

“However, other respondents agreed with the proposal to remove panels – with criticisms of panels including that they can introduce unnecessary delay and duplication in the assessment process; they do not always operate effectively in practice, and they can vary in quality. There were specific concerns raised about the suitability of panels to assess kinship carers.

“There was support for improving or reforming the way panels are used to ensure panels are proportionate, efficient, and focused on where they add most value.”

In light of the consultation responses, the Government said it would not proceed with the proposal to remove panels at initial assessment and review.

Instead, it said it would focus on improving the operation of panels “through non-legislative means, including timeliness, quality, and practice”.

On the second proposal, respondents strongly supported plans to improve fairness, transparency and support for both children and carers when an allegation is made against a foster carer.

The current process for handling allegations was described by respondents as “slow, inconsistent and distressing”, with lasting negative effects on carers’ wellbeing and on the retention of carers, the Government observed.

It added: “There was a strong consensus on the need for more proportionate and consistent approaches to the handling of allegations and better support and communication for foster carers whilst investigations are ongoing.”

In light of the responses, the Government confirmed plans to strengthen national fostering standards and guidance, to enable allegations to be handled in a “more timely, proportionate and transparent way”.

The DfE noted: “Reforms will aim to ensure consistent support for children and foster carers throughout the process, including access to independent advocacy and continued financial support for carers during investigations.”

Meanwhile, the DfE revealed that updated national guidance will clarify the roles of fostering services, local authorities and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), with a strengthened focus on proportionate decision-making.

Responding to the Government's fostering reform consultation response, charity CoramBAAF said: “CoramBAAF welcomes the Government’s decision to retain fostering panels while committing to improve their consistency, quality and effectiveness across the sector. We are particularly pleased that the consultation response recognises the importance of independent scrutiny, lived experience and robust quality assurance within fostering decision-making. The government have also committed to strengthening how allegations and standards of care concerns are handled including clearer national expectations, more proportionate and timely processes, and better support for both children and foster carers during investigations.

“[…] While there were differing perspectives across the sector about the future role of fostering panels, we hope there is broad agreement that the system now has an opportunity to improve processes for everyone involved, particularly foster carers and kinship carers. Retaining panels should not mean maintaining the status quo. The focus must now be on ensuring panels are proportionate, timely, consistent and supportive, while continuing to provide effective safeguarding and independent oversight.

“We also welcome the government’s recognition that delays within fostering processes are often caused by broader systemic issues. Alongside this, the proposed reforms to allegations processes are an important step towards creating approaches that are more transparent, fair and supportive for both children and carers.”

Lottie Winson