Carers (Hansard, 18 July 2002)

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage an increased number of foster carers. [71071]

§ Jacqui Smith
Foster carer recruitment is a very important area, in which a lot of work is being taken forward. The Department is currently undertaking a major review ("Choice Protects") of the commissioning of placements, with a special emphasis on foster care services—so that choice and stability of placements may be improved for children in care. Within this, we will be examining:

Role and status of foster carers;

Recruitment and retention;

What support services are required;

Best ways to reward foster carers;

The training needs of foster carers.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assessments of carer needs have been carried out, broken down by carer age groups, since the introduction of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000. [71039]

§ Jacqui Smith
This information is currently being collated and will be published in late autumn as part of "Community Care Statistics 2001ߝ02: Referrals, Assessments and Packages of Care, for Adults".