Education remains green paper focus

The green paper on looked-after children is likely to address how social workers engage with education staff.

Officials have said the paper is also likely to recommend introducing local authority champions for looked-after children, a Local Government Association briefing paper, published ahead of a meeting of its children and young people board this week, reveals.
Proposals for improving the skills of foster carers and an examination of the age at which young people leave care are also expected in the paper, which is due in the autumn.

The green paper’s main focus, however, is likely to remain on improving educational outcomes for looked-after children.

Meanwhile, Fostering Network has urged the government to put foster carers at the heart of its green paper plans.

The charity’s chief executive, Robert Tapsfield, told a conference that carers must be given more training and support to develop the skills to help children in care fulfil their potential.