§ 18. Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to increase the number of foster carers; and if he will make a statement. [141774]
§ Margaret HodgeIn March 2002 we launched the Choice Protects Programme which aims to improve placement choice and stability for looked after children. The first tranche of the three year £113 million grant was given to local authorities to expand and strengthen their fostering services. At national level we have taken action to improve foster carers' pension entitlement and tax position. We have commissioned the Fostering Network to produce recruitment guidelines and are developing a publicity pack to help local authority recruitment of foster carers. Both of these will be available early next year.
The Green Paper, "Every Child Matters", has sought views on radical and imaginative ways of encouraging people to become foster carers and ensuring they are valued and recognised.