Addressing the Fostering Network's debate on the future of foster care, Kim Bromley-Derry opposed Martin Narey, the chief executive of Barnardo's, argument that more children should be taken into care earlier.
Bromley-Derry, who is director of children's services in Newham, said the current care system results in children being taken in to care "even when their outcomes are best met through other interventions based around supporting their family or community".
Instead, he said the system should prevent entrance to long-term care through preventative work focusing on early use of short-term care, parenting support, weekend care and family intervention.
He said: "We must ensure only a small number of highly complex cases remain in longer-term care, but with intensive packages of support wrapped around them.
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