FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

Early day motion 1152, tabled 7 May 2003 by Liam Fox (Conservative). Signed by 79 members.

That this House congratulates the Fostering Network for organising Foster Care Fortnight during the period of 12th to 25th May; commends the outstanding work of foster carers throughout the country, but notes with concern that there is an urgent need for 8,000 more carers in the UK, to help provide homes for the 48,000 or so children who need fostering on any given day; notes that almost two-thirds of young people in care have lived in three or more foster homes, and that an increase in the number of foster carers would improve the likelihood of the right match being made from the outset, thereby reducing the disruption to children's lives; and urges the Government to work to enhance the status of foster carers, in order to boost efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of such carers.

Signatures by party: Conservative 37, Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, Independent Conservative 1.