With councils now looking after nearly 16,000 more children than they were 10 years ago, and the needs of those young people becoming more complex, it is becoming increasingly difficult for councils to make sure that every child has the best home to meet their needs
Responding to a Social Market Foundation report which estimates that the number of children needing foster care in England is set to rise by almost a third by 2030, Cllr Teresa Heritage, Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“Looking after children who cannot live with their families is one of the most important jobs that councils do.
“With councils now looking after nearly 16,000 more children than they were 10 years ago, and the needs of those young people becoming more complex, it is becoming increasingly difficult for councils to make sure that every child has the best home to meet their needs.
“As the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care has rightly highlighted, there has been a lack of national focus on the recruitment of foster carers and we continue to call on the Government to work with councils on a campaign to encourage more people to come forward.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Independent Review to find ways to improve the children’s social care system, including fostering, to make sure all children in care can grow up in loving homes that meet their needs and support them to thrive.”
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