Nandy told CYP Now that an investigation was needed because increasing numbers of councils were coming forward to confirm plans to introduce charges.
“We need to understand the scale of the problem and how many councils are looking at doing this and why,” she said.
“It is impossible to ignore the huge cuts to council budgets but, having said that, any good council would recognise they have a unique responsibility to children who are in care and in trouble.
“That goes beyond being a legal responsibility - it is a moral responsibility as well.”
Nandy also called for Prime Minister David Cameron and Education Secretary Michael Gove to explain how Conservative-controlled Worcestershire County Council would charge children from the age of 16, and potentially pursue them through the courts if they do not pay.
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