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Children in Care
04 February 2025
Lead MP
John Whitby
Derbyshire Dales
Lab
Responding Minister
Janet Daby
Tags
Social CareEmployment
Word Count: 4190
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
John Whitby raised concerns about children in care in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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:
Lead Contributor
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 Sure Start was withdrawn at different speeds and to differing degrees around the country, as local authorities removed their discretionary spending due to a loss of revenue support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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Government Response
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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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.