The
Children and Young Person’s Bill which was published this week
promises a range of improvements for fostered children.
The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords with the second reading taking place around the end of November. It will then be examined in detail at committee stage before moving to the House of Commons.
The majority of the legislation will apply to England only with a few changes affecting Wales.
Key features of the new Bill will address:
- the introduction of social work practices
- giving young people the right to remain in placement until they are 18
- limiting out of authority placements
- an increased focus on care planning
- the introduction of an independent appeal for foster carers who are deregistered.
There are also proposals for a national bursary for young people accessing higher education, and for strengthening the role of independent reviewing officers.
The Bill includes regulation to involve young people in their care planning.
Young person’s minister Kevin Brennan said:
"The state has been a poor parent to children in care for too long and we want to change that. We should have the same ambitions for these children as we have for our own.
"Young people in care told us they want greater stability which we aim to give them, for example, by limiting placement moves in their GCSE years. We want children in care to have a greater say about what happens to them.
"We must bring stability into their lives and re-build their confidence."
The proposed legislation has brought a cautious welcome from childcare and fostering charities.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, welcomed the proposals in the Bill, but expressed grave concern that the absence of any proposed regulatory framework that would support arrangements for young people to remain with their foster carers until they are 21 will continue to mean that children leave care at far too young an age.
BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering) welcomed the emphasis on improving placement stability and ensuring consistency for children in care.
NCH chief executive, Clare Tickell said if the Bill is to make a difference, it must meet the mental health and emotional needs as well as the educational needs of children at risk of entering the care system, so that they have the chances in life they deserve.
The Children and Young Person's Bill can be downloaded from the website for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Download the DCSF press release.
Photograph supplied by ISTOCK: Karolina Ksiazek