HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc365-6W
Linda Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to encourage families to foster young people being looked after by local authorities. [116055]

Jacqui Smith

The Choice Protects Review is looking at a number of issues that affect the recruitment and retention of foster carers, including role and status, training, support and rewards. As part of the Choice Protects Review local authorities have been given a grant of £113 million over the next three years to improve services. For 2003–04, local authorities have been allocated £19.75 million to expand and strengthen their fostering services. Additionally, Fostering Network has been given a grant to develop good practice guidelines in recruitment.

The Department has also worked closely with both the Inland Revenue and the Department for Work and Pensions to introduce an appropriate tax threshold for foster carers and extend home responsibilities protection for foster carers. Both changes were introduced at the beginning of April 2003 and should encourage recruitment and retention of foster carers.

Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government plans to(a) professionalise and (b) remunerate foster carers. [116805]

Jacqui Smith

The Choice Protects Review is looking at a number of issues that affect foster carers, including role and status, training, support, rewards and issues surrounding recruitment and retention. As part of the Choice Protects Review, local authorities have been given a grant of f 113 million over the next three years to improve services. For 2003–04, local authorities have been allocated £19.75 million to expand and strengthen their fostering services.

There are no nationally agreed fostering allowances. Each local authority determines and pays its own rate of allowance. The Department has worked closely with both the Inland Revenue and the Department for Work and Pensions to introduce an appropriate tax threshold for foster carers and extend home responsibilities protection for foster carers. Both changes were introduced from April 2003.