Should the Mayor take a role in improving prospects for London’s children in care?

7 FEBRUARY 2012

London has more than 10,000 children in care, with rates in the capital above the national average. Is there a case for the Mayor taking a role in improving the prospects of these children?

Evidence shows that features of the care system can make it harder for children in foster care, children’s homes and residential schools to succeed[1]. In London, their experiences also vary widely depending on where they live.

Tomorrow the London Assembly’s Health and Public Service Committee will how the future prospects for children in care across the capital can be improved.

The Committee will also ask why children’s experiences vary so much across different London boroughs and why there is a shortage of foster carers in the capital.

The following guests will attend the meeting:

  • Pam Chesters, Mayor’s Adviser for Health and Families
  • Natasha Finlayson, The Who Cares? Trust
  • Andrew Fraser, Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS)
  • Robert Tapsfield, Fostering Network 
  • Linda Thompson, Ealing Horizons Centre 

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 8 February 2012 from 10am in Committee Room 5 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1). Media and members of the public are invited to attend.  The meeting can also be viewed via webcast. 

Notes for Editors:

  1. Features which can affect the prospects of children in care include being moved frequently and often suddenly, missing too much schooling, and being left to fend for themselves at too early an age. See P13 of HoC Children, Schools and Families Select Committee Third Report of Session 2008-9
  2. See full agenda papers for the meeting
  3. The Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, Victoria Borwick AM, is available for interview.  See contact details below.
  4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For media enquiries, please contact Julie Wheldon/Lisa Moore on 020 7983 4228/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.