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.

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.