FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

That this House welcomes Foster Care Fortnight which aims to boost the recruitment of foster carers to fill the estimated existing shortage of 10,000 carers without whom many children would have to be placed in less appropriate and more costly alternatives; recognises the importance of the professional contribution of foster carers to the care of looked-after children; is concerned that more needs to be done to attract carers on a long-term basis; and welcomes the events taking place across the UK to promote and encourage caring which changes lives, both those of children and their carers.