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<p><strong>‘</strong>Foster Care in England’, the 2017 independent review of foster
care, was clear that the current legislative framework is fit for purpose: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foster-care-in-england"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foster-care-in-england</a>.
The reviewers did not recommend a change to the current employment status of foster
carers. Their assessment was consistent with that of the Education Select Committee
in determining that whilst there could be improvement in the respect and value shown
to foster carers, in recognition of the invaluable role they play in Children’s Social
Care and the lives of some of our most vulnerable children, this would not necessarily
be achieved by becoming employees of fostering agencies: <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/340/340.pdf"
target="_blank">https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/340/340.pdf</a>.
As a result, we have no immediate intention to revise the foster care legislation
to that effect.</p><p>In our response, ‘Foster Better Outcomes’ (2018), we committed
to considering where changes could be made to the statutory guidance to strengthen
and clarify issues around support for foster carers and to assess whether the National
Minimum Standards for Foster Care should be replaced by Quality Standards: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fostering-better-outcomes"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fostering-better-outcomes</a>.
We are committed to undertaking this work and will engage fully with the sector when
we do so.</p>
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