The Fostering Recruitment “Red Zone”:
Where 94% of Enquiries Disappear
(Source: Ofsted 2025)
If you’re seeing record-high spend but record-low applications, you don’t have an enquiry problem, you have a conversion crisis.
Every lost enquiry represents thousands of pounds in wasted budget and, more importantly, a missed home for a child in care.
I’m Viv Doolan. I spent 15 years in the trenches of the UK fostering sector as a Supervising Social Worker, Recruitment Social Worker and IRO.
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Having personally sourced over 35,000 fostering enquiries across the UK for small, medium, and large services, I saw at first-hand that the traditional social work and administration toolkit was not enough to convert interest into approved carers.
After stepping outside the sector to work with highest-performing conversion engines in the US, I discovered the missing link. By applying commercial-grade nurture systems to the fostering journey, I was able to triple the national average application rate—without ever compromising on social work values.
The Proof: From 6% to 20%
In a recent pilot, we moved the needle from the UK national average of 6% (reported by Ofsted) to a 20% conversion rate from enquiry to application.
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I now help heart-led agencies build the same high-performance engines used by the UK’s largest providers so they can stop "spending to stay still" and start growing by providing those all important Foster Carers that we so desperately need.
Book a Free “Red Zone” Recruitment Audit
Pinpoint the
Leaks
See exactly where your enquirers are dropping out of your specific pipeline and why.
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Restore Momentum
Learn how to maintain engagement from the first click to the formal application.
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Ethical
Guidance
Understand how to use commercial nurture tools to guide applicants through the process with integrity.
Your Recovery Plan
A tailored "Red Zone" action plan you can start implementing immediately to increase your conversions.