In partnership with

The UK's foster care system is under serious strain. Record numbers of children need somewhere safe and welcoming to live, but the number of foster carers keeps falling. We are at a pivotal time to ensure children in care can receive a stable, loving home to avoid more being pushed into residential care, which can cost nearly ten times more than fostering.

The picture varies across the UK but the opportunity to improve the lives of young people remains the same;

• In England. The number of children in the care system (81,770 in March 2025) is close to historic highs, while the number of fostering households has consistently declined over four consecutive years.

• In Northern Ireland over three quarters (76%) of foster carers report that their fostering allowance, and any expenses they can claim, do not meet the full costs of looking after the children they foster.

• In Scotland 40% of foster carers report looking after a child who requires mental health support but isn't receiving it, with 18% stuck on waiting lists

• Wales urgently requires around 300 additional foster carers. The number of fostering households has been declining since 2021, while the overall number of children entering the care system remains high.

Supported by the Henry Smith Foundation, UnLtd is investing in social entrepreneurs strengthening foster care across the UK, tackling the barriers that prevent minoritised, disabled, and 14+ young people finding the foster homes they need. If you're building a venture that helps recruit, retain and/or support foster carers, or one which aims to change the system for the better, you could receive up to £30,000 in flexible grant funding and support, including valuable peer-to-peer learning, and skills training.

By strengthening the support available to existing foster carers and breaking down the barriers that prevent skilled people from becoming carers, this new Accelerator aims to create 1,000 additional fostering places by April 2028. Alongside this, it will build a stronger, more diverse and better-supported community of foster carers, pioneering new ways to making the system work for everyone involved – and improving outcomes for the many children and young people who rely on it.

Eligibility criteria

Social Entrepreneur

Criteria	Social Entrepreneur
Your age	16 years old or over
You are the founder/leader of the social venture	Yes
You are currently living in the UK and have the right to work in the UK	Yes
You are looking for funding to create long-term social impact	Yes
You are applying primarily to fund formal or academic qualifications	No
You are applying primarily to fund overseas travel	No
You are applying primarily to pay others to deliver the work on your behalf	No
You need both UnLtd's financial and non-financial support	Yes

Social Venture

Criteria	Social Venture
Your social venture clearly driven by a social purpose	Yes
You can demonstrate a clear need for your social venture	Yes
Your social venture mainly benefits people or places within the UK	Yes
Your social venture involves political or religious campaigning	No
Your social venture involves activities that are against the law, against public policy, or could cause harm or division between people or communities	No
Your social venture does more than raise awareness of a social issue	Yes
Your social venture has the potential to be financially sustainable with our support	Yes
Your social venture's incorporation history	Incorporated for less than 5 years
Your social venture's trading history	Trading 1 to 5 years
Your social venture's areas of focus	Fostering / Children's social care
Your social venture's turnover in the last financial year	Less than £250,000
Your social venture's earnings in the last 12 months	£30,000 or more

Apply now

1. Check your eligibility
2. If you are eligible you will receive a link to the application form via email.

Deadline is 10:00am, 31 August 2026.

Resources

• Budget guidelines | Fostering Innovation Accelerator — Budget preparation, managing your Award spend, and what to do if things change

• Prepare your financial data — Access the financial workbook & guidance