Yes, there is a social care crisis in children's services in 2025, with significant issues in both placements and adoption agencies. Adoption agencies face a shortage of adopters, leading to longer waiting times for children who need permanent homes, while social care placements are strained by rising costs, a lack of suitable placements, and overstretched local authorities. 

Crisis in adoption

Shortage of adopters: There is a significant gap between the number of children waiting for adoption and the number of people coming forward to adopt. In March 2025, there was a shortfall of 750 adopter families in England, a sharp increase from the previous year.

Longer waits for children: The shortage means more children are facing long waits. The number of children with a placement order (PO) waiting for placement grew by 13% between March 2024 and March 2025, with a 55% rise in those waiting over a year.

Reasons: The decline in prospective adopters has been linked to factors like the cost-of-living crisis, which has led to a 12% decrease in new registrations compared to the previous year. 

Crisis in social care placements

Cost pressures: Local authorities are overspending on children's social care, partly due to the increasing cost of placements.

Lack of suitable placements: There is a shortage of foster carers and secure children's homes. This can result in children being placed in unsuitable settings and, in some cases, being deprived of their liberty in accommodation without the proper safeguards.

Complex needs: A growing number of children with complex needs are entering care, often because they lack support from other services, such as mental health services. This puts further pressure on already stretched local authority budgets and resources. 

Broader context

Recruitment agency struggles: The difficulties in social care are happening in the context of a broader crisis affecting the recruitment industry, with many firms shutting down due to economic uncertainty and rising costs.

Government action: The government is attempting to address the crisis through reforms that focus on early intervention to prevent families reaching a crisis point, but the issues in adoption and placements remain significant challenges.