Comment on SMF research on foster care in England

ADCS President Charlotte Ramsden said:

“The majority of children in our care live in foster families and ensuring that we find the right placement, at the right time with the right support is one of the highest priorities for all local authorities. We are all ambitious about improving outcomes for these children and we cannot do it without the vital support that foster carers provide. However, there remains a national shortage of foster carers while ADCS research shows that the number of children in care has risen by a third in the past 12 years. At the same time, the needs of the children and young people who we support are becoming more complex. We therefore call on the government to work with councils on a campaign that encourages more people to come forward and become foster carers.

“ADCS members also 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 earlier call on government to replicate the Scottish legislation which prevents for-profit operations in this area. We hope that the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care addresses this issue and offers solutions.”

ENDS

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