The foster care stocktake, conducted by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, makes a series of wide-ranging recommendations to improve the system, but has received a mixed reception from the sector. Although many of the proposals have been praised, concerns have been raised about others, while some commentators have warned the recommendations fail to address a number of long-standing issues.
In total, the Foster Care in England review makes 36 recommendations, six of the most significant of which are analysed here.
1. AFFECTION
Recommendation: Guidance should be changed so carers are not "discouraged" from being physically affectionate to foster children.
Rationale: Although fostering regulations already set out that carers should provide a level of care, including physical affection, which is designed to demonstrate warmth, friendliness and positive regard for children, Narey and Owers say they found that all too often foster carers believe that demonstrations of physical affection are frowned upon.
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