Children’s Minister congratulates NFA on LILAC Award

24/08/2011

The Children’s minister, Tim Loughton, has praised the National Fostering Agency for becoming the first independent fostering agency to be presented with the  LILAC award (Leading Improvements for Looked After Children)  by the national care leavers' charity, A National Voice.

Speaking at the NFA's annual staff conference at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Mr Loughton said it was a wonderful achievement and illustrated the importance of care providers listening to the views of children.

Mr Loughton also said he was committed to reducing the amount of bureaucracy faced by social workers. He said he wanted them to spend less time in front of computer screens and more time in the community helping children.

Also addressing the conference was the Children's Commissioner for England, Dr Maggie Atkinson. She said she was delighted to hear that the NFA had received the LILAC award and thanked fosters carers for their work. She said they were at the heart of contributing to the lives of vulnerable children and young people. 

The key purpose of the LILAC project is to draw upon the expertise of care-experienced young people to improve the policy and practice of agencies in how they consult with children in care and care leavers.

The conference, which was attended by NFA employees from across the UK, also considered the changing landscape of foster care and the changing demands being placed upon independent agencies by local authorities.

Iain Anderson, chief executive of the NFA, said: "This is the one time of the year when all of our social workers from England, Wales and Scotland come together to learn about our new initiatives to support our customers, carers and the children and young people in our care. It is significant for us as an organisation and recognition of our contribution to looked after children that Mr Loughton and Dr Atkinson were able to give up their time to speak at our conference."

Following the conference, NFA staff took part in the 10,000 Steps Challenge around the Ricoh Arena football pitch. The challenge was to highlight the shortfall of 10,000 foster carers throughout the UK. 

The NFA is highlighting the shortfall and raising money for two selected charities – the Tengecha School, in Africa and the Magic Breakfast, which provides healthy breakfast foods at schools with more than 50% free school meals.