The Fostering Network response to Budget 2021

The Chancellor has announced spending review plans in the House of Commons today.  

Kevin Williams, CEO of The Fostering Network, responds:  

“We are encouraged by the £500m package for children and families announced by the Chancellor of which around £200m will go to supporting the most vulnerable families and children through the Supporting Families Programme. The Treasury has clearly been listening to calls from the children’s sector that this investment is urgently needed and it will make a difference to children. However, this needs to be further supported by sustained investment in local authority budgets to ensure lasting improvements beyond this spending review.   

“Next year will see the publication of a once in a lifetime review of children's social care. We hope that as the detail of spending plans emerge they will provide clarity on how the Government will fund all of the changes to children's social care which the whole sector is calling for.  

“We know that foster carers provide vital care to 56,000 children in England, often without the resources, support and recognition that their role warrants. Changes to the system must be properly resourced to ensure all children have safe, secure and loving homes. This should include the recruitment and retention of foster carers to meet the needs of all children and young people. We will continue to campaign for positive change to ensure foster care is the best it can be for all the children and young people who need it.” 

Read our four recommendations for the Care Review in our latest blog