§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to raise the standards of care for looked after children. [136687]
§ Mr. HuttonWe have already taken steps to improve the standard of care received by looked after children, and we are committed to a clear programme of action to turn around the experience of this vulnerable group.
The Government Response to the Children's Safeguards Review, in November 1998, set out a detailed programme to ensure good quality care for looked after children. The Quality Protects programme was introduced in 1999–2000, to improve the services provided to and the outcomes of vulnerable children, particularly looked after children. Councils receive special grant funding to help them make the changes required, and councils have been set clear targets which they are expected to achieve. In particular, the funding has been directed at improving the quality and range of placements available and at raising levels of educational achievement for looked after children. We recently announced the extension of this programme from three to five years.
From 1 January 2001, small private children's homes will be brought into regulation. This will mean that, for the first time, these homes will have to meet the requirements of the Children's Homes Regulations 1991 and will have to be registered with council inspection units.
The Children (Leaving Care) Bill will ensure that young people do not leave care before they are ready to do so. From 2002 the National Care Standards Commission will inspect children's homes, local authority fostering services and independent fostering agencies. Inspection will be against national minimum standards for the particular organisations which will ensure that the quality of care received by looked after children will be acceptable throughout England.