Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she will publish her Department's response to the consultation, Improving Permanence for Looked After Children; and if she will introduce an entitlement to support for all children returning home from care.

A robust assessment of the needs of a child and their family and how these needs will be met through ongoing support from the local authority is crucial if children are to return home safely and successfully from care. The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 are clear that the child’s care plan must provide details of the advice, assistance and support that the responsible authority intends to provide after the child has returned home. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013 sets out the principles and parameters of a good assessment. [1]

Improving practice when children return home from care is a priority for the Government. In 2013, we consulted on a range of proposals to improve permanence for looked-after children. Department for Education officials convened a meeting of the relevant Expert Group on 9 September 2014 to discuss these issues and the consultation response. The Government’s formal response will be published later this year.

[1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children