Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of foster carers from minority communities.

The cultural, ethnic, linguistic or religious background is among a number of considerations that a local authority must consider when placing a child. The priority is that the child is safe and with a carer who is able to meet their individual needs. Local authorities have a duty to ensure they have sufficient placements that meet the needs of their looked after children.

The National Fostering Stocktake, an independent review of the fostering system in England, has now concluded. It considered the recruitment and retention of foster parents. The department will carefully consider any recommendations made by the review and by the Education Select Committee. The government’s response will be published this spring.