The stocktake, which launched in April and is being carried out by longstanding government adviser Sir Martin Narey and children' social worker Mark Owers, aims to build a comprehensive picture of what foster care looks like and how it can be improved.
It is due to conclude in December and has involved calls for evidence from social workers, foster carers, academics, councillors, parents and young people.
But at an education select committee hearing, in which young people with experience of care sat alongside MPs, children's minister Robert Goodwill was told that the stocktake was failing to properly engage young people.
Among those questioning Goodwill was Luke Rodgers, a care leaver and founder of Foster Focus, an organisation that works with councils to improve quality of care and youth participation. Rodgers said youth participation in the stocktake had been too limited, mainly focused around an eight-question survey that young people were required to complete by last month.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
