Case study: Foster care redesign

KPMG in Canada worked with a provincial department to redesign the provincial foster care system to provide better outcomes for children, youth and families.

Foster care serves as a vital resource for children and youth who cannot live with their birth families during challenging times. Foster caregivers play a crucial role by offering their homes and time to provide a safe and supportive environment.

A provincial department acknowledged that their current foster care system was under significant stress due to rising demands for care and a declining number of available foster caregivers. This strain led to placements that were not well aligned with the actual needs of children and youth.

Research shows that as children mature, they become increasingly resistant to interventions and developmental behaviors become entrenched. Therefore, the failure of foster care placements to meet their needs can lead to serious and long-lasting consequences.¹ (Healy & Fisher, 2011) In response to these challenges, the department sought a redesign of the foster care system, including the development and implementation of a new mix of placement options.

KPMG utilized its extensive experience in the child and family service sector to deliver a business case for the redesign of the province’s foster care system. The business case aimed to balance the urgent need for reform with the extensive work required over a multi-year transformation. To address the system's pressures, the following was prioritized:

• Understanding how similar jurisdictions were addressing foster care placement options
• Developing requirements and a tool to support a redesigned foster care financial model
• Designing a continuum of foster care options and strategies to build a strong system, and
• Creating a high-level implementation plan.

The work completed provided an evidence-base to support government decisions around the redesign of the foster care system, and the work and investment required. It supported the department to secure approval of the direction and funding necessary to pursue the desired future state.

Since completing the redesign work, KPMG has continued working with the department. This has included the development of a new foster care program and a continuum of supports and services for the well-being of children, youth, and families.

The new approach was piloted in 2022 and fully implemented across the province in 2024. As a result of the transition, there have been fewer placement breakdowns, increased foster caregiver satisfaction, and stronger social and support networks among children, youth, families, and their communities.

For more insights on the benefits of a prevention-based child and family services model and how it could help support your organizational goals, contact a KPMG professional.