Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Children in Care

04 February 2025 · 9 other contributors · 4,190 words

Opened by John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales

Responding minister: Janet Daby

Children & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Whitby raised concerns about children in care in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The number of children in care has increased by 28% since 2010.
  • The number of children in residential care has increased by 102% since 2010.
  • The Minister announced additional funding for kinship care and foster carer recruitment.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP asks for more resources and support for children in care, including therapeutic support for those in kinship care and an increase in foster carers through initiatives like regionalisation and Mockingbird.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales

The number of children in care has increased by 28% since 2010, and the number of children in residential care has increased by 102%. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that approximately 3.8 million people experienced destitution in 2022, including approximately 1 million children—nearly triple the number in 2017. Sure Start was withdrawn at different speeds and to differing degrees around the country, as local authorities removed their discretionary spending due to a loss of revenue support from the previous Government.

Other contributors (9)
  • Alison Bennett LD Mid Sussex

    Asked the Government to look favourably upon and fund an organisation called Pause, which works with mothers who have had a child taken into care.

  • Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin

    Discusses the need to review therapeutic support available to those in kinship care, who might have experienced personal trauma similar to those in formal care systems.

  • Chris Bloore Lab Redditch

    Stresses the importance of mental health support for kinship carers and fostered children, noting that nearly one third have diagnosed or suspected social, emotional or mental health needs.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Congratulates the hon. Member on securing this debate, highlighting a company called Madlug which provides bags for children in care, promoting dignity and self-worth.

  • John Milne LD Horsham

    Highlights the discrimination faced by kinship carers in his constituency, urging for a balanced support system between foster carers and kinship carers.

  • Member for Derbyshire Dales Con

    Discussed the dysfunction in the children’s social care placement market, mentioning councils on the brink of bankruptcy due to high costs and some providers making excess profits despite sub-par care.

  • Rachel Gilmour LD Tiverton and Minehead

    Supports the idea of fostering and adoption processes without losing sight of safeguarding practices, referencing international development roles with former orphanage children.

  • Shaun Davies Lab Telford

    Supports the need for cross-Government, cross-agency collaboration to address the challenges faced by children in care, citing Telford and Wrekin council's recognition as a national leader.

  • Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate

    Stresses the importance of advocacy services for children receiving social care to ensure their voices are heard and listened to.

Government Response

Janet Daby

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education

Announced additional funding for kinship care, foster carer recruitment and retention, national minimum allowance, capital funding for children's homes, and legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to improve services for children in care. Acknowledged profiteering from vulnerable children in care as unacceptable, introduced measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to rebalance the market, improve competition and regulation, increase transparency on profits and prices, and support the life chances of children in care.

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