Presented by Apex Fostering
File Not Found is a youth-led art exhibition and national competition for care-experienced young people across the UK.
The project challenges how young people in care are often defined by files, statistics, and case notes. Instead, it creates a platform for creativity, identity, and lived experience to take centre stage.
Selected artworks will be exhibited at Oxo Gallery in London, with three prize-winning artists receiving material awards to support their continued creative development.
We are working with partners to distribute a national call for art submissions.
The submission will open on 1st of April 2026, and close 14th of September 2026. In that time, youth can reach out requesting artist mentors, who are artists donating their time to advice in realising the artistic vision of the youth.
Artists can compete in their age category: 12-14 years old, 15-17 years old, or 18-26 years old.
20 artworks will be chosen out of the submissions. Each highlighted artwork will have a QR code with audio narration about the backstory.
The artworks not chosen for their own spot will have the opportunity to partake in a collage of all submissions.
Interactive elements – Audio Narration – Wall Piece
The exhibition is intended to make care-experienced people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Part of this includes stirring public perception of fostering towards an increasingly positive light, and therefore we’ll have thought provocative interactive elements.
On Thursday the 29th of October we’ll host an exclusive invite-only evening where the competition will take place and press and partners will be invited.
This evening is all about celebrating youth in care and care-experienced people, and saying thank you for sharing their creativity.
England’s fostering system is under sustained pressure. The number of approved foster carers has declined for four consecutive years, with 7,545 carers lost since 2021. As a result, many children are placed far from their local communities or separated from siblings due to a lack of suitable placements. These pressures are increasingly highlighted in national reports from organisations such as Ofsted and The Fostering Network.
Across England, the system urgently requires around 5,000 new foster families to meet current demand. Without enough carers, more children are placed in residential settings rather than family homes. Today, over 27,000 young people live in residential care, and this number continues to rise. Recruiting and supporting more foster carers is critical to ensuring children can grow up in stable, supportive environments.
Young people leaving care continue to face significant structural challenges. Care leavers are disproportionately represented in homelessness, unemployment, and the criminal justice system. Research shows that care leavers make up around 24% of the UK prison population and one in four rough sleepers, while 39% are not in education, employment or training. These outcomes highlight the importance of stronger support systems as young people transition out of care.
The UK government’s “Stable Homes, Built on Love” strategy, launched in 2023, aims to reform children’s social care through earlier support for families and more stable placements for children. However, many elements of the reform — particularly those affecting fostering — are still being tested through pilot programmes and new legislation. With national policy discussions ongoing, this is a crucial moment to ensure care-experienced voices are included in shaping the conversation.
We’re excited to hear from you!
