1 November 2022
by DK
Homeless Children and Foster Care System
Homelessness is a serious concern in the United Kingdom. Find out how the foster care system is stepping in to offer a temporary solution to this growing concern and how you could be part of the solution.
Homelessness in the UK
It is often not a child’s decision to become homeless. Many background factors that are beyond the child’s reach contribute to homelessness.
According to a 2019 BBC publication, homelessness in the UK was alarming with many children finding themselves homeless.
Some of the factors that lead to homeless children in the UK include:
- Violence
- Abuse
- Breakdown
- Mental health illnesses
- Unaffordable housing
- Poverty
- Unemployment
How does the foster care system step in?
When children are left homeless in the UK, the government has an inherent responsibility to care for them.
However, the UK government does not have enough resources on its own to care for hundreds of thousands of homeless children every year. Still, the government’s commitment to solving this problem is visible through the foster care system.
The foster care system steps in to provide temporary accommodation to homeless children as the government attempts to find a more lasting solution to homelessness in the country.
Government’s input in the foster care system
Apart from designing the whole foster care system to cater to the growing need of homeless children in the UK, the government also:
Provides fostering allowance

Much of the allowance given to foster carers comes from the government. The UK government is aware that foster carers are offering this service to aid government services, thus, offering an allowance to compensate them for their humane actions.
Why is the foster care system preferred for homeless children?
Unlike other forms of temporary accommodations, the foster care system is warmer and more receptive to homeless children. A child in a foster care system enjoys a homely environment that distracts them from their problems.
It is also possible for children in foster care systems to continue with their education and social lives normally.
Problems of homeless children and the foster care system
The biggest problem is that the foster care system cannot handle all the homeless children in the UK. It is because many people are not registering as foster carers in the UK.
There are not as many foster carers as homeless children in the UK. This means that the foster care system is overwhelmed. It is for this reason that you are encouraged to apply to become a foster carer to reduce the gap between homelessness and temporary accommodation.
How to be involved?

Did you know that you can be involved today? You don’t need professional qualifications to become a foster carer. The best gift that you can offer to humanity is applying to become a foster carer.
You will be fulfilling your societal duty of caring for homeless children. The good thing is that you won’t suffer financial losses because all your expenditure will be cared for by the fostering agency.
Contact us today if you want to join the foster care system and help to reduce homelessness among children in the UK.