ed, 2024b). Numerous reasons were posited by DCSs in SP9 interviews for the declining numbers of non-kinship foster carers. Many are reaching retirement age; others find they can no longer afford to foster and are seeking alternative sources of income. Rising house prices were seen to lead to carers’ adult children moving back in with their parents. Other foster carers were retaining a room for a young person to return to during university holidays. A small number of DCSs suggested that increased requirements for contact with 63 birth families had led to some foster carers leaving the role because of the disrupting impact this had on some children and their lives. With reduced numbers of carers comes less opportunity to match children and carers well the first time, which was seen to contribute to placement instability. Increased placement costs were linked with challenges around recruitment and retention and higher rates paid by independent fostering agencies (IFA). The balance between local authority foster carers and IFAs has continued to shift with IFAs now offering 48% of filled mainstream fostering places (Ofsted, 2024b). Reflecting the increase in family and friends care of various types, 60% of survey respondents said their local authority had either introduced new services to support kinship carers (including special guardians) or had expanded existing provision. It is vital that the system continues to develop to ensure appropriate support for kinship carers: some DCSs expressed concerns about kinship care breakdowns and the challenge of finding suitable alternative placements, particularly when a child reaches adolescence. Practical and financial support and access to appropriate therapeutic provision for children were all seen to be required to further enabl