What's new?

• Survey of looked after children's access to health care in the East of England - take part
  The NHS has commissioned a survey of foster carers in the East of England to understand the key issues looked after children face in accessing health care and information

• Foster carers to give evidence at select committee on looked-after children
  Foster carers will be sharing their views on the state of fostering in England with MPs on the select committee on looked-after children next week (Thursday 10 July).

• Foster carers descend on Westminster to create change for young people leaving care
  Foster carers from all over the country descended on Westminster yesterday to urge their MPs to put pressure on the Government to enable young people in care in England to stay with their foster families until the age of 21.

• Don't abandon young people leaving care, top charities urge minister
  Twelve top child care charities are today (16 June 2008) urging the Government not to condemn young people leaving care to a life of poverty and underachievement, by calling for a change to the rules which currently see them fending for themselves at 18.

• The Fostering Network lobby Parliament on the Children and Young Persons Bill
  We have finally had confirmation that the second reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill is taking place on Monday 16 June. The lobby will therefore take place on that day.

• Foster Care Fortnight 2008 launch in England
  On Monday 12 May guests got together in the spectacular venue of Millbank Tower overlooking central London to launch the new promotional campaign fostering: recognise the qualities you’ve got as part of Foster Care Fortnight 2008.

• Launch of Foster Care Fortnight in England
  The Fostering Network will be launching Foster Care Fortnight in central London at 11am on Monday 12 May.

• New contract being developed to standardise care for children in independent sector
  A new contract to standardise the provision of care for children placed with independent fostering providers (IFPs) in England is being developed on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).