Foster Care

Ms Dari Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many foster family arrangements in all local authorities (a) remained as a stable family unit and (b) have broken down with the children returning to care facilities in the last 12 months.

Mr. Dhanda
At 31 March 2006, 23,600 children looked after by a local authority had been in the same foster care placement for more than 365 days.

During the year ending 31 March 2006, 15,800 children looked after by a local authority moved to another placement from a foster care placement. This figure excludes children who return to be placed with their parents.

Annette Brooke
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are in private foster care arrangements in England.

Mr. Dhanda
The number of children who were in private fostering arrangements notified to local authorities in England at 31 March 2006 was 980.