Family Law

The government has published its response to the Consultation on Looked-after Children: Improving Permanence, which took place from 30 September 2013 to 29 November 2013.

The consultation sought views on proposals to: strengthen the team around the looked-after child; improve the status, security and stability of long-term foster care; and strengthen the requirements for returning children home from care.

These were developed following extensive discussions with two expert groups – one on long-term foster care and another on returning home from care. These expert groups included representatives from national organisations, academics, local authority managers, social work professionals and foster carers.

The main proposals were to:

• Strengthen the team around the looked-after child;
• Secure permanence for looked-after children;
• Improve the status, security, and stability of long term foster care; and
• Strengthen the requirements for returning children home from care.

The government has stated that it intends to take forward many of the proposals from the original consultation, in particular those concerned with strengthening the team around the child and long-term foster care.

Click here to read the consultation response.