§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to recruit more black foster parents.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government accept that there is a need for fostering agencies to recruit sufficient foster478W parents from ethnic minority groups to meet the needs of black children in care. The Department is currently preparing a public service advertisement for television to encourage foster parents of all ethnic groups to come forward. The review of the regulations governing fostering which is just beginning will include consideration whether to require authorities to have regard to any wishes of a child or its parent about cultural upbringing.