Why we do political advocacy

At Home for Good we engage in political advocacy because there are some challenges to finding a home for every child who needs one that can only be unlocked at a political or systemic level.

A general election on the horizon

The next General Election must take place by January 2025, but many expect the Prime Minister to call for an election within the next 8-16 months. An election is a unique opportunity for political parties from across the entire political spectrum to support action that will drastically improve children’s social care. With an election now in sight, each political party will be in the process of drafting their party manifestos. But what is a manifesto and why is it important?

A manifesto is a published document that outlines the priorities of a political party and commits the party to acting on certain policy issues, should they be elected to form the next government. The contents of a manifesto are often broad and ambitious – with parties hoping to gain media attention for their policy commitments and persuade the public to back them with their vote at the next election. We know that a small commitment in a manifesto can make a big difference. For example, the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto pledge to commission an independent review of children’s social care in England, ultimately led to Josh MacAlister’s “once in a generation” opportunity to rethink the children’s social care system in England and his subsequent report published in 2022. Without the manifesto commitment, this wholescale review would not have happened.

Home for Good’s manifesto asks

The next government will inherit a care system that is under more pressure than ever before with the number of children in the care system having increased by 28% since 2010*. If we want to see the care system strengthened and best practice amplified, it will require change at a political and systemic level. At Home for Good we are committed to advocating on behalf of the thousands of children and young people in the care system, which is why we have created five asks to help the next government commit to systemic improvements to children’s social care.

Ask 1: Raise the profile and encourage the use of supported lodgings

There is an urgent need to increase the availability of high-quality, cost-effective provision for teenagers in the care system. We believe more teenagers should be offered the benefit of living in a family home whilst recognising that a foster home might not be appropriate for all young people.

Ask 2: Statutory adoption pay for self-employed adopters

A lack of statutory adoption pay for those who are self-employed is impacting many prospective adopters and in some instances preventing adoption all together. The next government should enable parity of access to adoption leave and pay by providing an adoption allowance to self-employed individuals.

Ask 3: Increase engagement with faith groups involved in children’s social care

Through local and national government engaging with churches, we believe that many thousands of altruistically motivated individuals, couples and families, will step forward to open their homes and hearts to children in the care system.

Ask 4: Improve the experience of prospective foster carers

Thousands more foster carers are needed across the country but at the moment, as few as 1% of prospective carers who enquire about fostering go on to be approved carers. It is crucial that the next government ensures the experience of prospective carers who enquire about fostering is positive.

Ask 5: Increase data collection to monitor patterns of racial disparity

It is not acceptable that Black children are disproportionately represented in the care system. The next government must shine a light on racial disparity across the care system, identifying the drivers and developing robust solutions.

Over the coming months, we will continue to engage with politicians and other key stakeholders within political parties, helping them understand the key issues in the care system and putting forward our recommendations to be included in party manifestos. It is not easy to influence manifestos, but any inclusion can be hugely significant and therefore merits our upmost effort.

Would you commit to praying for us as we seek to influence manifestos, sparking systemic change from the top down?

READ Home for Good’s manifesto asks