Asked by: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing a national register for foster carers, matching that of social workers, to improve the safeguarding of children.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The department is considering the possible benefits and costs of a national register of foster carers as part of our wider work in reforming the children’s social care sector. There are a range of proposals for such a register, all of which require careful consideration.
The national minimum standards for fostering sets out a clear minimum expectation that all “foster carers should receive at least the national minimum allowance for the child, plus any necessary agreed expenses”.
In January 2025, we shared information about how to report underpayment of the national minimum allowance to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) for investigation. The LGSCO have reassured us that they will investigate any reports of underpayment raised with them and ensure action is taken to rectify this.
Fees paid to foster carers are not determined by the government. Instead, fostering services set their own rates based on various factors, such as the skills of the foster carer and the level of support the child requires. The department currently has no plans to carry out a comprehensive review of foster care fees. We encourage local authorities to work together to develop consistent regional offers of financial support to foster carers.
Asked by: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to monitor the national minimum allowance for foster carers and ensure that all local authorities pay at least these rates.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The department is considering the possible benefits and costs of a national register of foster carers as part of our wider work in reforming the children’s social care sector. There are a range of proposals for such a register, all of which require careful consideration.
The national minimum standards for fostering sets out a clear minimum expectation that all “foster carers should receive at least the national minimum allowance for the child, plus any necessary agreed expenses”.
In January 2025, we shared information about how to report underpayment of the national minimum allowance to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) for investigation. The LGSCO have reassured us that they will investigate any reports of underpayment raised with them and ensure action is taken to rectify this.
Fees paid to foster carers are not determined by the government. Instead, fostering services set their own rates based on various factors, such as the skills of the foster carer and the level of support the child requires. The department currently has no plans to carry out a comprehensive review of foster care fees. We encourage local authorities to work together to develop consistent regional offers of financial support to foster carers.
Asked by: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to carry out a comprehensive review of foster carer fees.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The department is considering the possible benefits and costs of a national register of foster carers as part of our wider work in reforming the children’s social care sector. There are a range of proposals for such a register, all of which require careful consideration.
The national minimum standards for fostering sets out a clear minimum expectation that all “foster carers should receive at least the national minimum allowance for the child, plus any necessary agreed expenses”.
In January 2025, we shared information about how to report underpayment of the national minimum allowance to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) for investigation. The LGSCO have reassured us that they will investigate any reports of underpayment raised with them and ensure action is taken to rectify this.
Fees paid to foster carers are not determined by the government. Instead, fostering services set their own rates based on various factors, such as the skills of the foster carer and the level of support the child requires. The department currently has no plans to carry out a comprehensive review of foster care fees. We encourage local authorities to work together to develop consistent regional offers of financial support to foster carers.
Asked by: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ensure that young people in "staying put" arrangements are supported to continue to benefit from a family environment instead of being moved into residential care.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
Supporting care leavers to make a successful transition from care to independence is a priority for this government.
‘Staying Put’ arrangements ensure care leavers can continue to benefit from a stable and secure family setting and prepare for independence at a more gradual pace, rather than facing upheaval at age 18. It allows those who have been in foster care to remain with their carers until 21, where both the young person and the foster carer want it. The legislation requires local authorities to advise, assist and support both the young person and their former foster carers so that the arrangement can continue until the young person becomes 21. ‘Staying Put’ enables young people to build on and nurture their attachments to their foster carers, providing stability and support during their transition to adulthood, just as other young people can rely on their own families for such support.
The government is continuing to fund local authorities to deliver ‘Staying Put’ and project to provide £33.3 million for the programme in the 2025/26 financial year.
Asked by: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to meet representatives of Barnardo’s to discuss developing a Black Foster Care Network to improve the experiences of Black children in care.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
I refer the noble Lady to the answer of 15 January 2024 to Question 8232.