What prevents people from becoming foster carers?

For children identified by social services as needing out-of-home placements, foster care is the preferred option. However, the number of people engaging in fostering is insufficient, which creates a shortage in many countries. Using a community sample survey with approximately 2000 Swedish respondents aged 25–64, this article addresses the question what prevents people from becoming foster carers. Overall, respondents reported a generally positive perception of fostering as a child welfare measure. However, a moderate level of knowledge about fostering was a slightly stronger predictor of a reported intention to becoming a foster carer than extensive knowledge. When asked why they had not engaged in fostering, respondents identified a lack of time or space as the most significant barriers. Additionally, uncertainty regarding their own ability to meet the needs of a placed child, as well as concerns about the availability of support from social services, were also rated as important factors. Future strategies for recruiting foster carers should therefore focus on clearly articulating the requirements of foster carers and not only ensuring the availability of support but also effectively communicating this support in recruitment campaigns.