Care Matters White Paper

The Governments Care Matters: Time for Change White Paper was published on 22 June. Children will be given the right to stay in care up to the age of 18, or even to remain with foster carers up to the age of 21. They will also have the support of a personal advisor up to the age of 25. The Government will revise the national minimum standards for foster care in order to link training with new development standards and local authorities will be obliged to set out a 'Pledge' about services and support and put in place a 'Children in Care Council', which will give the children in care a forum to express their views and influence services. Other measures in the White Paper include an 'annual stock-take' event to review the progress of children in care with key stakeholders and representatives of local government, health and young people in care. Carers will have national skills standards to refer to, and increased access to specialist training and support. Care Matters: Time for Change is available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/timeforchange