Comment on fostering England statistics

Commenting on Ofsted’s latest fostering in England statistics, Edwina Grant OBE, Chair of the ADCS Health, Care & Additional Needs Policy Committee said:

“These latest statistics by Ofsted highlight the urgent need for greater focus and investment from government in recruiting more foster carers who play a vital role in the care system. For the overwhelming majority of children in our care, foster carers provide loving homes and local authorities continue to invest in local and regional recruitment campaigns to encourage more people with the right skills to foster, from all walks of life, to come forward so that we find the right home for those children who need one. A wider pool of foster carers, who can meet the diverse needs of children and young people coming into care, will lead to greater placement choice, and as a result greater placement stability. However, without the support from national government this is becoming increasingly difficult as the number of children coming into care continues to rise.

“ADCS members remain concerned about the significant profits being made by a small number of organisations from fostering. Such practices cannot be justified, and we reiterate our call on government to introduce legislation, similar to that in Scotland, which prevents for-profit operations in this area. We hope that the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care addresses these pressing issues and offers solutions.”

ENDS

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