Government launches national contract for fostering

The standardised contract will provide local authorities with an outcomes-based framework to use when purchasing fostering placements in the private and voluntary sector. 

Founded on the five Every Child Matters outcomes, the contract has been designed to allow local authorities to compare service providers, in a bid to create a fair and transparent fostering market.

The contract also includes a tracker tool, which will monitor individual children’s progress and give commissioners information about whether a fostering placement is improving a child’s outcomes.

Sally Melbourne, executive director for performance and development at Foster Care Associates, who helped develop the contract, said: "Consistency across the independent fostering sector means a shared and uniform approach which in turn will help bring about greater transparency. It is all about maximising positive outcomes by having a clear understanding of each foster child’s needs and putting in place the right strategies to achieve this."

The DCSF also provide national contracts that advise local authorities on how to purchase placements non-maintained and independent special schools and residential children’s homes.