Opinion: Letter - Foster carers are included

She regretted that she was not involved in decision-making in Worcestershire and "found a different approach" in an independent fostering agency. Foster carers in Worcestershire are encouraged and enabled to attend meetings about children in their care, and their views are sought and listened to by social workers. But given that the decision makers are ultimately the children's social workers rather than the carers', and these remain the same whether the child is in a local authority or an agency foster placement, I'm somewhat puzzled by the comment.

We're sorry to lose any foster carers to independent providers. In Worcestershire we have to compete with seven local agencies. We're delighted that we are having some success now in attracting foster carers back, however, as "local homes for local children" is very much part of our recruitment and retention strategy.