Childcare for fostered children
This House of Commons Library landing page has been prepared in anticipation of a debate entitled "Childcare for fostered children". This debate will be led by Lisa Nandy MP and will take place in Westminster Hall at 4.30pm on Tuesday 19th December 2017.
The House of Commons Library recently published a briefing paper on the 30 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds in England which was introduced in September 2017:
- Commons Library briefing CBP-7591, "Children: Introduction of 30 hours of free childrecare in September 2017", 10 October 2017
A recent Parliamentary Question asked what representations had been made to the Government on "the potential benefits to looked-after children of extending the 30 hours of free childcare entitlement to those children". The Minister for Children and Families, Robert Goodwill, replied on 11 December 2017 with the following information:
Foster carers play a vital role in supporting some of our most vulnerable children. It is right that foster carers receive the support they need to meet the needs of the children whom they look after.
We are considering whether it is possible for children in foster care to take up the additional 15 hours in a way that promotes the best interests of the child.
[PQ 11790: Children in Care Day Care]