Purpose Over Profit: Fostering Among Top Roles Inspiring the UK Workforce

For thousands of adults across the UK, work no longer feels fulfilling. More and more people are questioning whether their job truly makes a difference, and many are actively looking for careers that offer a greater sense of purpose. Fostering is one path that can provide exactly that. A chance to make a lasting impact every single day.
New research from the National Fostering Group reveals that while 61% of Brits say having a worthwhile job is important, many feel their current roles fall short. As a result, 14.5 million adults (27%) say they’d like to switch to a more meaningful career, with nearly one in five (19%) actively looking for roles that allow them to give back. Fostering is among the top career choices for those seeking greater purpose, with 12% saying they would consider becoming a foster carer.
68% of 55 to 64-year-olds and 67% of over 65s say fostering is one of the most worthwhile careers someone can pursue. In contrast, only 40% of 18 to 24s and 47% of 25 to 34s feel the same. While younger adults are increasingly looking for purpose in their careers, it’s older generations who are more likely to recognise the value and impact of fostering.
The emotional cost of unfulfilling work is clear. One in six (16%) say their job feels unfulfilling, with 39% citing the reason as a lack of making a difference to society. And while 80% of UK adults say their job contributes to their overall happiness, it’s clear that purpose plays a big part in that feeling.
This isn’t just a passing thought either. Many adults say they think about changing to a more rewarding career, with 7% thinking about it very often, 17% often, and 32% sometimes. Plenty have held onto that feeling for years: 9% have been considering a change for one to two years, 5% for three to five years, and 4% for more than a decade.
Interestingly, when people are asked which jobs they most admire, they gravitate toward roles with clear public value. Nurses (75%), paramedics (70%) and firefighters (68%) top the list of the UK’s most respected professions, with teachers (64%) and foster carers (58%) close behind, recognised as doing some of the most meaningful work anyone can do.
And that inspiration runs deep. Nearly a quarter (23%) of UK adults say they feel genuinely inspired when speaking to someone whose job truly makes a difference, often because those people demonstrate powerful human qualities like empathy (52%), compassion (52%), problem-solving (45%), and integrity (45%).
These qualities are far from rare. Across the population, people report possessing the very skills that define roles like fostering. Problem-solving (54%), compassion (52%), empathy (51%), and the ability to stay calm under pressure (41%) are all widely reported. Yet nearly six in ten (59%) of those seeking greater purpose feel those talents are currently being wasted in their day-to-day jobs.
These are also the same qualities people believe are essential for fostering. When asked what it takes to be a successful foster parent, the top answers were patience (78%), compassion (74%), supportiveness (72%), empathy (71%), and listening skills (70%). These aren’t specialist qualifications, they’re everyday strengths that many people already have, even if they don’t realise just how valuable they can be.
Still, many people who could foster rule themselves out. Twenty-nine percent identify as empty nesters, with 32% reporting one spare room and 40% having two. Yet when asked if they would consider fostering, 81% said it’s unlikely. The most common reasons were feeling too old (60%), concerns about the challenges involved (49%), or not feeling emotionally ready after raising their own children (24%).
But these concerns don’t have to stand in the way. Fostering is a big decision, but it’s one that comes with full support. National Fostering Group provides ongoing training and 24/7 guidance through your local fostering agency, so carers are never left to manage alone. With practical advice, emotional support and a strong network around them, carers are fully supported from the start. There’s also a tax-free allowance of up to £24,500 per child per year, helping ease financial pressures and allowing carers to focus on what matters most: creating a safe and nurturing home.
For those ready for something more meaningful, fostering could be the next step. It’s a chance to make a difference that lasts a lifetime.