To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many family and friend (a) carers and (b) foster carers received no financial support in 2008-09.

Family and friends caring for children who are not looked after by the state are a very broad group. Some will be caring for the child as a private family arrangement with the child's parents, where state intervention will not necessarily be appropriate, and the child and their carers may not be known to the local authority.

Where a child being cared for by their relative or friend is not a looked after child, but is assessed as being in need, the local authority has the discretion to provide support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to support their upbringing by their family. The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 made it easier for local authorities to provide financial support under section 17 where that is appropriate. The number of families being supported in this way is not collected centrally.

Where the local authority places a child with a relative or friend, so they are a looked after child, the family or friend must become approved as a foster carer and the fostering service provider must provide them with support on the same basis as for any other foster carer. Fostering service providers differ in the amount of support they provide. However, all providers should be paying their foster carers at least the national minimum allowance.