Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 12 Oct 2022
Children in Care
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the quality of life of children in care...."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 12 Oct 2022
Children in Care
"My Lords, I am grateful. The noble Baroness has vast experience and well understands that children do not come into care unless they have had an awful start to their young lives. It is for that reason that the state has to intervene and be a good parent to these …..."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 10 Oct 2022
Family-strengthening Policies
"My Lords, the Minister will know very well that there has been a marked reduction in family support services in recent years, in particular day centres and Sure Start centres, which can support families at a critical time in their lives when they are experiencing a crisis. Can the Minister …..."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 21st September 2022
Asked by:
Lord Laming (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of children in the care of English local authorities being placed in Scotland.
Answered by Baroness Barran
- Shadow Minister (Education)
In England, the responsibility for ensuring a looked-after child or young person is in the appropriate placement rests with local authorities as they are best placed to understand the specific needs of individual children in their care. Local authorities have a duty to ensure sufficient appropriate provision for all of the children they look after.
The department recognises, however, that some local authorities sometimes find it difficult accessing the most appropriate accommodation, particularly for children with the most complex needs, and that children are sometimes placed in locations away from home, when they may be better served by a placement in their local area, were one available.
The lack of available and suitable placements for the most vulnerable children is something this government takes seriously. With that in mind, the government is taking significant steps to support local authorities to fulfil their statutory duties. Between now and 2025, £259 million will be made available to develop and expand the provision of both secure and open homes, to reduce out of area placements, to provide for children with complex needs, and to promote innovative practice to maintain placement stability or prevent children from entering the care system.
Recognising the urgency of action in placement sufficiency, and following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the department will also work with local authorities on recruiting more foster carers.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 24 May 2022
Safeguarding of Young Children
"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the safeguarding of young children against abuse and death caused by adult members of their household...."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 24 May 2022
Safeguarding of Young Children
"My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, who has vast experience in these matters, but does she agree that, in these absolutely awful cases, there are three consistent features? The first is that the child was not hidden away but was known to the services; the second …..."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 24 May 2022
Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
"My Lords, this is a most important report, and we are grateful for the points the Minister has already made. I commend the Government on commissioning this review. and congratulate Josh MacAlister and his team on producing what I regard as an inspiring report because it focuses so much on …..."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Written Question
Monday 7th March 2022
Asked by:
Lord Laming (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the profits declared by companies providing children’s care homes; and what steps they are taking to prevent tax-payer funded care home providers from making excessive profits in future.
Answered by Baroness Barran
- Shadow Minister (Education)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a market study in March 2021 exploring the lack of availability and increasing costs in children’s social care provision, including children’s homes, and fostering. It examines concerns around high prices paid by local authorities and inadequate supply of appropriate placements for children. The interim report was published on 22 October 2021 and noted that some relevant parties had expressed concerns around the level of profits made by large private sector providers of children’s homes. It considers the profit levels to be a symptom of the underlying problem of insufficient supply of appropriate places and the difficulties local authorities have in engaging effectively in this market.
The full report, including any recommendations, will be published by the 11 March 2022.
In addition to the CMA market study, the independent children’s social care review is taking a fundamental look at the needs, experiences, and outcomes of those supported by children’s social care, and what is needed to make a real difference. The review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform systems and services, with the aim of better supporting, protecting, and improving the outcomes of vulnerable children and young people.
The government will respond to both sets of recommendations after the respective reviews have concluded.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 16 Dec 2021
Children and Young People in Care: Accommodation
"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children and young people in care are placed in safe and appropriate accommodation...."Lord Laming - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 16 Dec 2021
Children and Young People in Care: Accommodation
"My Lords, I am very grateful indeed to the Minister for that helpful Answer. As the House knows, no child is taken into care without there being clear evidence of the child’s safety being severely at risk. Indeed, some of us, or I guess all of us, wish that some …..."Lord Laming - View Speech
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