Education Select Committee launches fostering inquiry

Written submissions sought by 25th November 2016

The House of Commons Education Select Committee has launched an inquiry into fostering in England. This inquiry will look at a range of fostering issues including the recruitment and retention of foster carers and concerns over reductions in the number of available foster care places.

The Committee's fostering inquiry will also examine the support for and treatment of foster carers, the involvement of young people in their foster care, and the increased role of private companies (independent fostering agencies), in providing children's foster care.

The inquiry will be held at a time when the number of looked-after children is higher than at any point since 1985, when the number of available foster care places has decreased, and when foster carer recruitment has slowed.

The Education Committee invites written submissions addressing the following points:

The recruitment and retention of foster carers, and the capacity of the fostering system
Stability of foster care placements, including the impact of the Staying Put initiative since its introduction
The role of voluntary and independent foster care providers, and their relationships and cooperation with local authorities
The foster care market, including the costs of commissioning of services, financial incentives in the recruitment of foster carers
The sufficiency of current recognition, support and recompense given to foster carers
Foster care for young people with specific or challenging needs, and its relationship with residential care
The involvement of young people in their care, including their role in decision making
What the Government should consider in its stock take of foster care.

Views can be submitted through the fostering inquiry page.

The deadline for written submissions is Friday 25 November 2016. The public evidence sessions for this inquiry are likely to begin in January 2017.

For more information, please click here.

9/10/16

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