In February 2023 the department published its consultation and implementation strategy, \u2018Stable Homes, Built on Love\u2019. This sets out the department\u2019s plans for a system-wide transformation of children\u2019s social care, and details how the department will help families overcome challenges, keep children safe, and make sure children in care have stable loving homes, long-term loving relationships, and opportunities for a good life.<\/p>
To support local authorities to meet their statutory duty to ensure there is sufficient provision for children in their care, the department has announced £259 million capital funding to maintain capacity and expand provision in both secure and open children\u2019s homes that provide high-quality, safe homes for some of the most vulnerable children and young people across England. The department has allocated a portion of the £259 million capital funding to open children\u2019s homes enabling a total of 69 projects to be delivered, which will create an additional 350 beds across this sector.<\/p>
The department has also committed to developing a core overarching set of Standards of Care for fostering, children\u2019s homes, and supported accommodation. This will help simplify the regulatory landscape, raise quality, and ensure there are consistent safeguards across different types of settings.<\/p>
The department will develop a programme to support improvements in the quality of leadership and management in children\u2019s homes, including exploring proposals for a leadership programme to attract and train new talent.<\/p>
In addition, the department is investing £10 million to develop Regional Care Co-operatives (RCCs) to plan, commission and deliver children\u2019s social care placements. Through operating on a larger scale and developing specialist capabilities, the RCCs will be able to develop a wider range of places to meet children\u2019s needs better.<\/p>
The department is also making good progress on addressing challenges relating to the retention and recruitment of social workers, which is key to supporting the delivery of the wider children\u2019s social care reforms. This includes introducing an Early Career Framework to better support newly qualified social workers to meet the challenges of child and family social work, increasing the number of social worker apprenticeships, and supporting local authorities with their retention and workload challenges. Alongside \u2018Stable Homes, Built on Love\u2019, the department also published a consultation on a set of rules for local authority engagement of agency child and family social workers. The response to this consultation was published on 25 October 2023 and sets out a set of national rules intended to increase workforce quality and sustainability. The department will consult on statutory guidance on the technical detail in Spring 2024. These reforms are in addition to the department\u2019s £50 million annual investment in recruiting, training and developing the workforce.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4703", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Barran"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Barran"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-04T16:40:34.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Services: Children"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Josh MacAlister The independent review of children\u2019s social care, published on 23 May 2022; and what progress they have made in improving council-run homes in the children\u2019s social care system given the findings of that report.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4878", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Manchester"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Manchester"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1464801", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1464801/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government\u2019s priority is to ensure that all higher-risk buildings are safe. It is important that industry takes advantage of innovative technologies that can support better building safety. The Construction Playbook sets out the Government\u2019s support for innovation including digital technologies and modern methods of construction. New technology and innovation have improved productivity, quality and choice across a range of sectors and the Government wants to see the same happen in housing. We are committed to creating a dynamic market for innovative technologies in the UK to enable the development and use of effective new technologies.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4877", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Greenhalgh"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-06-08T15:48:38.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Buildings: Safety"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage innovation in building safety technologies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/214", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Foster of Bath"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Foster of Bath"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170824", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1170824/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government\u2019s policy has not changed and protecting vulnerable children will remain our priority after we leave the EU. The new Clause 37 in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill reaffirms this commitment while clarifying the role of Parliament and Government in negotiations. Additionally Clause 37 places an obligation on the Government to lay a statement before Parliament on the progress of negotiations.<\/p>
The Government is clear that we remain committed to seeking an agreement with the EU on this issue, and the Home Secretary wrote to the European Commission on 22 October to begin negotiations. The UK will continue to be bound by the Dublin Regulation provisions during the implementation period, allowing us to continue to transfer family reunion cases to the UK throughout 2020.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-28T17:00:26.45Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Refugees: Children"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are not continuing the EU policy of assisting child refugees to be reunited with their families in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1156336", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "The Senior Deputy Speaker"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1156336/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Companion to the Standing Orders and Guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords states that a private notice question (PNQ) gives members of the House the opportunity to raise urgent matters on any sitting day. The Lord Speaker, after consultation, considers whether the question is of sufficient urgency and importance to justify an immediate reply. The Procedure Committee\u2019s 2nd Report of Session 2009-10 (HL Paper 51), recommended that the Lord Speaker\u2019s decision, in respect of the admissibility of PNQs, be considered final. The House agreed this report on 16 March 2010.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4148", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord McFall of Alcluith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-05T13:10:10.74Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "204"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Private Notice Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what are the criteria taken into account by the Lord Speaker when he is considering whether or not to accept a Private Notice Question.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1813", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Trefgarne"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Trefgarne"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/747964", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/747964/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
\u200bWe are deeply concerned about the violence, and forced relocation of populations along ethnic lines in South Sudan, along with the blocking of humanitarian access. We take very seriously the UN reports which suggest that civilian populations have been deliberately targeted on the basis of their ethnic identity.<\/p>
We are working through the UN, EU, and with regional partners to make clear our concerns about the insecurity, and to try to prevent an increase in violence. The UK Government urges all parties to show restraint, to end the fighting, and to return to an inclusive political process.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-13T15:24:09.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the claims included in a press release issued by Amnesty International on 4 July concerning (1) forcible displacement in the Equatorial region of South Sudan, (2) war crimes against civilians, (3) abduction and gang-rape, and (4) food shortages and starvation resulting from conflict.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/522867", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/522867/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has a clear position, which has remained the same for around 70 years and we have no plans to change this policy: UK State Pensions are payable worldwide and uprated abroad where we have a legal requirement to do so for example in the European Economic Area or countries where we have a reciprocal agreement that allows for uprating. Annual increases are paid to UK state pension recipients and in Bermuda and in Gibraltar.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-06-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-06-09T13:32:35.287Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "South Sudan: Armed Conflict"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what provision they make for uprating the UK state pension for UK citizens living in British Overseas Territories.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2005", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hooper"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Hooper"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/350104", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/350104/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK has committed £427m to combat Ebola in West Africa, £373m for the ongoing response and £54m for early recovery programmes. This package of support covers the cost of UK operations, including Ministry of Defence assets and personnel, PHE clinicians, materials and medicines. Over £260 million has now been disbursed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3359", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Earl of Courtown"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl of Courtown"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-25T16:39:51.273Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "West Africa: Ebola"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what has been the total cost so far of providing personnel from the Ministry of Defence, National Health Service and Public Health England, and materials and medicines from the United Kingdom, to international efforts to tackle the recent ebola crisis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1861", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Countess of Mar"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Countess of Mar"} ], "uin" : "HL418"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 7, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }