Fostering Respite Care

HC Deb 30 March 1994 vol 240 cc882-3W

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of authorities offer fostering respite care.

Mr. Bowis

Information available centrally relates to local authorities who have provided children with a series of short term placements with foster carers under one agreement. Such placements generally relate to respite care if parents need relief, either from caring for a disabled child or for other reasons, or because a child is at risk of harm from their own behaviour.

In the period 14 October 1991 to 31 March 1992, 76 authorities—78 per cent. of those submitting returns—looked after children in this way.