Foster children demand placement information

One of the biggest problems highlighted by children that attended a consultation event, organised by North Yorkshire County Council and Foster Care Associates last month, was that they are not being properly informed about placements.

They wanted a guarantee in the new contract that they will get to see photos of the new placement and are given information including distance from amenities and whether it is near busy roads.

The new contract between local authorities and independent fostering organisations comes into force this autumn, however it is not compulsory.

Another guarantee foster children wanted in the contract was that siblings will not be split up. 

FCA executive director Sally Melbourne said: “We are also collecting the views of foster carers, local authorities and children of foster carers to make sure that the final contract sets the best possible standard of care for children.”