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 152 local authority fostering agencies and around 300 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 and allegations
This provides a unique insight into a sector that affects the majority of children in care.
Published 23 April 2018 Last updated 31 October 2023 +show all updates
The 2022 to 2023 fostering data collection is now closed. The next collection for 2023 to 2024 will open in April 2024. Guidance for the next collection will be available in January 2024.
Fostering portal codes and guidance 2022-23.ODS: updated the 'Essential fields' in column C of the 'Required fields' tab.
Updated the 'Fostering portal codes and guidance 2022-23' ODS file.
Ofsted's annual fostering data collection for 2022 to 2023 is now live.
Updated with proposed changes for 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024.
Ofsted's annual fostering data collection for 2021 to 2022 is now live.
Added the fostering data template and guidance on fostering portal codes for the 2021 to 2022 collection.
The 2020 to 2021 fostering data collection is now closed. The next collection, for 2021 to 2022, will open in April 2022. We have also confirmed changes for the next collection.
