Pupil premium needed to help children in care - Teather

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Oct 2006

Commenting ahead of today's Green Paper on children in care, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said "It is one of the greatest failures of this Government that after nearly a decade in power, the needs of children in care are only now being addressed.

"What these young people need more than anything is stability, security and to know that someone believes in them.

"Extending care to those beyond 16 is very welcome but to ensure stability, time and money must be invested in support and training for foster parents. Reducing the turn-over of social workers must also be a priority.

"To make sure these young people get the attention and care they need, funds should be allocated to them in the form of a 'pupil premium'.

"Schools will then have an incentive to admit them as they will be guaranteed resources to properly care for them."