A Government Green Paper, Care Matters: Transforming the lives of children and young people in care, was published by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) on 9 October 2006. Under the proposals, children in care would have the right to choose when they leave care once they reach 16, and measures would be introduced to stop them being repeatedly moved between foster homes; ensure they are placed in the best schools; and provide financial security as they enter adulthood. The paper looks at: the operation of the residential and foster care workforce; the provision of individually tailored support in and out of school; strengthening local authority accountability; and removing disincentives for foster carers that prevent them from providing a home for children once they reach the age of 16.
The consultation period ends on 15 January 2007. The consultation documents can be found on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations. See November [2006] Fam Law for the full news article.