Children in Care

(asked on 16th November 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education in the Adjournment debate on Children in the Care System: Sibling Contact on 4 March 2020, Official Report, col 957, when the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 are planned to be updated.


Answered by
Vicky Ford Portrait
Vicky Ford
This question was answered on 19th November 2020

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, spoke in the adjournment debate on sibling contact for children living in care in March 2020. The Secretary of State for Education, said, during the debate, the current legislative framework places a duty on local authorities to promote contact between the child and their family members, unless this is not reasonably practical or consistent with the child’s welfare. Schedule 2 of the Children and Families Act (2004) requires local authorities to promote contact between a looked-after child and any relative, friend or other person connected with the child (including siblings), as long as it is consistent with the child’s welfare and reasonably practical.

Furthermore, we recognise the importance of sibling relationships and have made it clear – in The Children’s Act (1989) Guidance and Regulations: Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015) - that sibling groups should be placed together where it is appropriate and possible and in the best interests of all children within the group. Where this is not possible, we understand the importance of maintaining an ongoing relationship between children living in care and their siblings, whether they are in care or not. However, we are clear that the child’s needs, wishes, and welfare are the most important considerations when making decisions about their care and who they keep in touch with, when and how. For many children, having contact with family, friends and others is hugely valued, and may help towards a stable and successful placement.

During the debate, the Secretary of State for Education re-affirmed the government’s commitment to amending the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations (2020) to make explicit reference to the importance of children living in care having contact with all their siblings, where that is appropriate and consistent with the welfare of all siblings.

Given the circumstances since the debate was held in March 2020, we have been unable to identify an appropriate opportunity to consult on this amendment. However, this remains an important action and we will seek to complete it as soon as we are able to.

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