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Having appeared to go lukewarm on the idea, the government has put boarding school places for children in care back on the agenda. Education secretary Charles Clarke is understood to have raised the issue once again with Alistair Cooke, general secretary of the Independent Schools Council.

The idea has met with qualified approval from schools and child care organisations. Adrian Underwood, director of the Boarding Schools Association, said the proposal would only take off if accompanied by a directive or guidance from the government. But selection procedures would have to be in place because not every child in care would be suitable for the boarding school route. One of the attractions for the government will be the cheapness of boarding schools compared to residential child care. Underwood said that it costs around £20,000 a year to send a child to boarding school compared to £100,000 for a residential care placement. Many child care organisations see the proposal as a way of improving the life chances of children in care and increasing their stability in the system.

Phil Frampton, national chairperson, Care Leavers Association
"It highlights the failure of the current system to provide stability for most children in care and in particular to provide a proper education. This is another unfortunate step towards the private sector, but in general I'd be in favour of the boarding school proposal as long as children are consulted on whether they want to go to a boarding school and there is adequate independent advocacy for them. It's not a new idea. It's just another form of care."

Bill Badham, development officer, National Youth Agency
"Why shouldn't local councillors as corporate parents choose what education they think best for young people in their care? It could turn out to be more cost effective, could improve attainment, increase numbers of foster carers and open up private institutions to greater public scrutiny, with formal complaints and advocacy procedures. And the boarding schools might benefit from greater diversity - as well as from public finance. But why am I not convinced? Because we should improve the quality of state schools and ensure the young people have a choice over their own education. Now there is a radical idea."

Martin Green, chief executive, Counsel and Care for the Elderly
"It's a very interesting idea. The Thatcherite revolution is continuing apace without Margaret Thatcher. There would need to be a very clear plan on how children are going to be integrated within the system and it certainly wouldn't be a good option for those with very high level needs around antisocial behaviour or other serious support needs. Safeguards would have to be put in place to make sure the children are protected from bullying and victimisation."

Felicity Collier, chief executive, Baaf Adoption and Fostering
"We do know that one of the factors that can increase resilience in children is a stable and successful school experience. However, it is essential that any looked-after child in a boarding school has an effective advocate and mentor, otherwise the feelings of powerlessness and isolation could be very great. I would want to give this plan a cautious thumbs up."

Julia Ross, executive director for health and social care, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
"The most important thing as always is meeting the individual needs of children in the best way possible. On occasions that might well be through attendance at a specific boarding school as long as that boarding school can meet the needs of that child. I think we should be as flexible as we can and indeed more flexible than we have been in the past but not take a block-purchasing approach to any such facilities."