Member

I certainly would not want to give the impression I am seeking to pit the needs of those in foster care against those in residential care. Through the Staying Close provisions in Clause 7, the Bill greatly benefits a relatively small but nonetheless significant group of vulnerable young people in care by extending Staying Close to 25. Some young people either wish to or need to be accommodated in children’s homes, and often that is because, for whatever reason, foster care has not met their needs, resulting perhaps in multiple unsuccessful placements. It is important to say that the amendments in this group would help those in residential care, as well as those in foster care. These young people—essentially the same group of young people—should not be subject to a two-tier system, not least because it is well-evidenced that it is generally in a young person’s best interest to live in foster care and a family environment post-18 to improve outcomes as they transition into adulthood.