Media releases

Following the Department for Education’s publication of new national minimum allowance rates for England – applicable from April 2018 – The Fostering Network's chief executive Kevin Williams said: 'The Government has increased foster care allowances for the 2018-19 financial year by only 1.5 per cent, which is not keeping pace with inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is standing at three per cent, and the Retail Price Index (RPI) at 2.7 per cent.

Following the Department for Education’s publication of new national minimum allowance rates for England – applicable from April 2018 – The Fostering Network's chief executive Kevin Williams said: 'The Government has increased foster care allowances for the 2018-19 financial year by only 1.5 per cent, which is not keeping pace with inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is standing at three per cent, and the Retail Price Index (RPI) at 2.7 per cent.

Following today’s publication of the Department for Education’s fostering stocktake report, based on a year of evidence gathering by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:

Following today’s publication of the Department for Education’s fostering stocktake report, based on a year of evidence gathering by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with The Mortgage Brain, who ‭are taking over from Endsleigh to provide specialist mortgage advice to our foster ‭carer members and a discounted arrangement fee for a completed mortgage. ‭Advisers at The Mortgage Brain have helped many foster carers secure mortgages ‭over the past five years and they are looking forward to helping our members find ‭the right mortgage for them. 

We welcome Nadhim Zahawi to his new role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education. We note with some concern that this is an unpaid position, and truly hope this is not a reflection of the priority placed on the role by this Government. Indeed, it is vital that his appointment marks the start of an increased profile for children's social care as well as a new period of stability within the Department for Education, especially given the importance of 2018 for fostering. We will be seeking a meeting with Mr Zahawi at the earliest opportunity.

The following foster carers received an MBE for services to children and families: Barbara Bower, Arthur Frost, Dorothy Frost, Pearline Howard, Michael Squire, Rachel Squire and Martin Williams.

Margaret Harvey, vice chair of Camden Association of Foster Carers was awarded the same accolade for services to children.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all foster carers for their love, warmth and commitment and the vital support they offer to children every day.

In response to today’s report on fostering in England by the House of Commons Education Committee, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:

In response to today’s report on fostering in England by the House of Commons education committee, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said:

We’re delighted that the children’s minister has today announced during a debate in Parliament that fostered children aged three and four in England will be able to access the 15 additional hours free childcare from September 2018. This will bring to an end to the discriminatory policy decision that came into force in September, and we thank the Department for Education for hearing our concerns and those of our members.