Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Acknowledged
Departmental fostering recruitment hubs show limited immediate impact on increasing foster carer numbers.
Conclusion
The Department has initiatives to increase foster carer numbers. It described, for example, launching 10 fostering recruitment hubs by 2024, covering around two thirds of local authorities.50 It explained that these hubs are boosting co-ordinated recruitment of foster carers between local authorities, and offering greater support for those becoming foster carers.51 The Department’s early impact evaluation of the first hub did not find any significant difference between the number of foster households approved in areas supported by the hub and those not. It noted, however, that more time might be needed to see results.52 The Department told us that it is seeing numbers of new foster carers increase each month.53
Government Response Summary
Acknowledges the Department is relying on there being more foster carers, but it has yet to address the significant challenges to increase numbers.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4. PAC conclusion: To reduce the demand for children’s residential care, the Department is relying on there being more foster carers, but it has yet to address the significant challenges to increase numbers.