§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals she is considering to alter the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991 with respect to the duties of local authorities and the delegation of those duties to profit-making independent fostering agencies; [17553]
(2) what consultations she has undertaken or plans to undertake about any proposed changes in the Foster Placement Regulations 1991. [17554]
§ Mr. BowisThe Government propose to amend the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991 to allow local authorities to delegate to profit-making bodies, certain of their fostering duties.
In August 1994 the Department of Health advised authorities, through circular LAC(94)20, copies of which are available in the Library, of an intention to amend these 1044W regulations in this way. I shall shortly be consulting on the draft regulations and associated guidance.