Sibling Separation - The argument for and against
Clare Jerrom takes a look at the proposals in the fostering stocktake around sibling separation and the arguments against such a move.
The legal requirement of placing siblings together in foster care was challenged earlier this year in the national Fostering Stocktake, prompting criticism from the sector.
It may be enshrined in almost 30 year old legislation [...]
Special Report: Reaction to the fostering stocktake
The fostering stocktake was recently published by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers. Need refreshing on the findings and recommendations? See Children First’s recent special report.
Overall, the stocktake’s in-depth focus has been praised. The Fostering Network said: “We are pleased to see that the stocktake has made recommendations that pick up [...]
Children’s leaders back plans to scrap IRO
Plans to allow local authorities to scrap the role of Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) have been welcomed by children’s services leaders.
The recently published Fostering Stocktake suggested that councils should be able to do away with the IRO role, reinvesting any savings in frontline children’s services.
While the proposals have been met with criticism [...]
Stocktake recommendations could ‘weaken protection of children’
Several of the fostering stocktake’s recommendations risk weakening the protection of vulnerable children, a coalition of children’s organisations and experts has warned.
The fostering stocktake published last month by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers made 36 recommendations for the future of fostering including establishing a national register to better match foster children and prospective [...]
Concerns raised over fostering stocktake’s recommendation
Grave concerns have been raised about the proposal in the recent fostering stocktake for local authorities to be able to scrap the role of Independent Reviewing Officers.
The fostering stocktake, published earlier this month, argued that there is little evidence to recommend the IRO role and local authorities should be allowed to dispense with the [...]
Special report: Fostering stocktake calls for register of foster carers
Special report: Fostering stocktake calls for register of foster carers
A national fostering stocktake has urged a national register of foster carers to be established.
The independent review, carried out by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, said there is ‘merit’ in developing a national register of foster carers to better match parents and [...]
