Children in Care: Illegal Accommodation

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Earl is preaching to the converted. My experience, going back over 16 years now, has all been about enabling the kinship care model to grow, thrive and be recognised. It has not been recognised before, and I am delighted that in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, for the first time, it is getting the attention it deserves. When it is properly done, fully supported and with family group conferencing at the outset, it is a life-changer for children and young people themselves but also for their families. It is a very important area and we need to do more to support it.

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

The Minister has rightly made much of the Government’s commitment of more funds for kinship care. When are they are likely to report back to this House and the other place about the success of the pilot schemes they are now funding?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I will get back to the noble Lord; I do not have the exact timescales in front of me. The nine areas have been chosen and are up and running. The evidence they gather will be critical in enabling us to move forward and to make sure—hopefully in a very positive way—that all the lessons learned are available to children and families across the country.