Press releases

Landmark new report calls for an extra £37.8 million for quality foster care for children in Wales

Issued: 28 November 2005

The Fostering Network and the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to invest an extra £37.8 million in foster care services.

The two charities launch their unique report in Wales, 'The Cost of Foster Care - Investing in our children's future', at the National Assembly for Wales on Tuesday 29 November 2005 between 5.30 and 6.30 pm. Val Lloyd AM will host the event with guest speaker Jane Hutt, Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services.

The report, which is the first ever study of its kind, assesses the spending that is required to transform foster care services in order to give children in public care the same opportunities to have a successful future as other children in our society.

The Cost of Foster Care draws on the experiences of an expert working group from health boards, trusts, independent fostering agencies and local authorities across the UK. A number of important assumptions were made about the shape of a quality foster care service.

Evidence shows a shortfall of at least 750 foster carers across Wales and this contributes to the lack of choice for children, placement disruption and further instability. This extra expenditure would address the crisis in recruitment and retention of foster carers and ensure that children were provided with the high quality care they need, enabling them to do well at school and settle in the community.

Robert Tapsfield, Chief Executive of the Fostering Network said:
"For the first time we have a substantial and robust calculation of what it costs to provide a foster care service. The report demonstrates that there is a massive shortfall in funding at present. This is a call to the Welsh Assembly Government to invest a further £37.8million in foster care services each year. We should ensure that the outcomes for children in foster care are the same as those we want for our own children."

Felicity Collier, Chief Executive of BAAF said:
"There is an overwhelming need to do better for children in public care. It is simply not good enough that there is no choice of foster carer for so many children, and that foster carers are not paid a living wage throughout the year so that they can be available when needed. The report makes the case for planned long-term investment in the children who are at risk of becoming the parents of tomorrow's poorest children instead of happy, economically active citizens. We know the sum is huge, but we believe long term savings can be achieved from the adult and family support services that so many looked after children currently need throughout their lives. "

The report shows that the governments of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England need to spend an estimated £1.7 billion in 2005/6. The shortfall in funding between stated expenditure in 2003/4 and the funding needed in 2005/6 in the UK is £748 million and in Wales is £37.8 million. The Fostering Network and BAAF recommend that the extra funding is seen as an investment into one of the most vulnerable social groups in society.

Sally Ellis, Assistant Secretary of ADSS Wales said:
"ADSS Wales welcomes this report on the cost of foster care. Securing good quality placements for children in care is a high priority for all Welsh authorities. Caring for children and young people who may have had troubled backgrounds requires great skill and appropriate support. It is essential that foster carers are properly supported, valued and rewarded for the work they do."

Key Findings

1. In 2003/4 the governments of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England spent an estimated £932.2 million on foster care services. We have estimated that the governments need to spend at least £1.7 billion in 2005/6, which means there is a current shortfall of almost £748 million across the UK.
2. The shortfall in funding between stated expenditure in 2003/4 and the funding required in 2005/6 is £748 million. The shortfall in funding for each of the countries in 2005/6 is as follows:
• Wales - £37.8 million
• Scotland - £65.5 million
• Northern Ireland - £28.5 million
• England - £615.7 million
3. The report calculations are based on assumptions that:
• all foster carers should be paid the Fostering Network's minimum recommended allowance for the children in their care
• foster carers who, by agreement with their agency make themselves available for 52 weeks per year should be paid a fee throughout the year;
• post-approval training should be an essential part of an effective foster care service and at least 50% of foster carers should be trained to S/NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent level of qualification;
• children in foster care often have additional education and health needs, and the provision of specialist help and advice should be available to foster carers in order to improve outcomes, especially in education;
• significant investment is required in the management of foster care services and the support services to foster carers;
• significant investment is needed to improve recruitment and find foster carers who can meet the needs of children from diverse backgrounds.

Notes to Editors

If you wish to attend the launch or require further media information, and a copy of the report, please contact Claire Dickinson or Garry Lemon at the Fostering Network on 020 7620 6441or 07963 458953 email media@fostering.net or Daisy O'Clee or Lucy Handford at BAAF on 020 7593 2053 or 07767 444589 email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk or lucy.handford@baaf.org.uk