REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE FOSTER CARERS

Early day motion 413, tabled 13 November 2001 by Hilton Dawson (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House deeply regrets the shocking death of Victoria Climbie at the hands of the couple who were privately fostering her in February 2000; is disturbed to note the conclusions of a report published by the British agencies for adoption and fostering that some eight to 10,000 children are privately fostered, while the majority of private foster arrangements are never notified to the authorities; and calls upon the Government to bring forward appropriate amendments to the Adoption and Children Bill to ensure that this group of children who are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect are afforded the same level of protection and care given to all others who live away from home.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.