Currently local authorities use a number of different contracts, but the new format, which has been developed by the Fostering Network and other organisations, aims to standardise care across the country. It makes provision for monitoring a child's progress against the Every Child Matters outcomes.
The government has already launched standard contracts covering placements in independent special schools and residential children‚s homes.
Phil Sutton, independent fostering development worker development worker at the Fostering Network,, said: "If all local authorities use this contract there is huge scope for monitoring and assessing how well local authorities and independent fostering providers work together in the best interests of the children they look after."
The contract will be launched on Wednesday (19 November).
