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The Fostering Network lobby of Parliament for the second reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill

Lobby update, 25 April

It may not come as a surprise to members that our lobby of Parliament is now unlikely to take place in early May as previously predicted. The Children and Young Persons Bill has been further delayed due to a backlog of bills in the House of Commons and the civil servants working on the Bill do not have any prediction about when the bill will return to the House of Commons. We have been told by contacts that the Second Reading is unlikely to take place before the end of Foster Care Fortnight (the end of May) but could take at anytime over the next few months. We understand that the delays have caused some difficulties but on balance we still believe that it is important to hold the event to coincide with the Second Reading debate to ensure maximum impact and will inform everyone as soon as we know more information. If you are interested in coming to our lobby but haven't let us know it would be very helpful if you can get into touch with Adam Hug, policy and campaigns manager, on adam.hug@fostering.net or 0207 6206434.

In the meantime members can write to their MPs to sign our early day motion that calls for more support for young people in care making the move to adult life including the ability to stay with their former foster carers till 21.

What is the lobby for?

The aim of the lobby will be to give foster carers and young people the opportunity to make their voice heard by politicians and help influence the debate on the vitally important Children and Young Persons Bill. Most MPs have never had any contact with foster carers and have had little interaction with children in care. With this in mind it is crucial we use this opportunity to raise the profile of foster carers and the young people they look after push for improvements in the support they receive.

The key aim of the Fostering Network’s campaigning on the Children and Young Persons Bill is to ensure that young people can stay with their (former) foster carers from between 18 and 21. However we are also aiming for more support during allegations, the delegation of everyday responsibilities to foster carers and the ability for foster carers to register with the General Social Care Council.

When is it?

The date and precise timings of the lobby are yet to be confirmed as the bill is still being debated in the House of Lords. The Government has not scheduled Parliamentary time for the bill in the Commons but we will inform all members as soon as we know. However, we believe the debate is likely to take place on an afternoon (Monday-Thursday) in the next few months and we will time the lobby for the morning of that day.

Our plan of action

  • We will assemble mid-morning in a venue (to be confirmed) near Parliament for a briefing by Robert Tapsfield, chief executive and Jim Bond, chair of the Fostering Network about how the day will work and what your participation will mean to our work.
  • We will then, after passing through security, move into Parliament to a Committee Room for a meeting chaired by David Kidney MP. Kevin Brennan MP, the minister responsible for the bill, has agreed to speak to the meeting and listen to your concerns. All English and Welsh MPs have been given the opportunity to attend and listen to your issues.
  • We will then return to Parliament’s central lobby to "Green Card" your local MPs. This means that the Parliamentary staff will contact your MP's office and if they are in the building (and not in a meeting) they should come to the central lobby to meet you. However, and we can’t stress this enough, if you can contact your MP before the day of the lobby to arrange a time for a short meeting, it will significantly increase the chance of successfully meeting your MP!
  • Finally, for those of you who want to watch the second reading debate in the afternoon, space permitting, there will be the option for going to the House of Commons Strangers Gallery after the lobby has concluded. Again to ensure you are able to watch the debate without a long queue, get your MP to book you a place.

Getting to the lobby

Parliament is located directly opposite Westminster tube station which is on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines. Coming from Waterloo station it is one stop on the Jubilee line or 15 minutes walk. From Victoria train and coach station it is two stops on the District or Circle line, or a 15 minute walk. The Fostering Network will be able to provide some financial assistance (up to £20 per person) to help with travel costs for foster carers and young people attending from outside London.

Please let us know if you are interested in attending

To make this lobby a success we need to get as many attendees as possible, showing MPs that the needs of foster carers and children in care are to be taken seriously. Please contact Adam Hug, policy and campaigns manager on 020 7620 6434 or adam.hug@fostering.net to let him know if you are interested in attending. We will inform you of the date and precise times as soon as we know them.

Contacting your MP to arrange a meeting for the day of the lobby

If you don't know who your MP is visit www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/

Put your postal address on the letter or email so that they can see you are their constituent.
Explain simply why you want to see them, for example:

"I will be attending the Fostering Network's lobby of Parliament that coincides with the second reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill on XXXday XX [month]. As a foster carer in your constituency I would like the opportunity for a short meeting with you on this day to discuss my concerns about fostering and how this bill can be improved to provide better support for children and young people in care and the foster carers like me who look after them." Alternatively you can use the Fostering Network's template letter.

For further information download our guide to campaigning.

Children and Young Persons Bill briefings

The Fostering Network and British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) have produced a joint briefing summarising the issues to be considered in the second reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill. Download the joint briefing.

The Fostering Network also produced a briefing for the House of Lords Committee in January.

The Fostering Network submission to the Children, Schools and Families select committee

The Fostering Network has prepared a paper on the Children and Young Persons Bill for submission for the Children, Schools and Families select committee as part of the ongoing campaign.

See also the uncorrected oral evidence given by Robert Tapsfield, Ian Sinclair and Kevin Williams to the Select Committee on 21 April 2008.