SUCCESS: Lib Dem call for all fostered young people in Surrey to have the opportunity to remain with their carers beyond 18

Liberal Democrat County Councillor Will Forster was successful today in calling on Surrey County Council to support the campaign to persuade the Government to change the law and provide funding to ensure that all young people in foster care can stay with their foster families when they turn 18. He also called on Surrey County Council to do all it can to help young people in foster care to stay with their foster families when they turn 18.

Cllr Will Forster said:

"Young people are staying longer at home than ever before, the average age at which most young people leave home is now 24 - the average age of a first time buyer may be as high as 37.

"However, this change in society is not reflected in the fostering system, where foster care effectively ends at the age of 18 - only one in 20 young people in foster care stay with their carers beyond their 18th birthday.

"Fellow Councillors, you wouldn't treat your children like this, why should children in foster care be any different?

"Some really callous local authorities, thankfully not Surrey, start shirking and scaling backing their responsibilities to young people in foster care even earlier, when the young person turns just 16.

"I am calling on Surrey County Council to support the national cross-party 'Don't move me' campaign by the Fostering Network to persuade the Government to change the law and provide funding to ensure that all young people in foster care can stay with their foster families after they turn 18.

"The costs are low. The move would help 530 teenagers in England and cost nationally just £2.6m a year, a relatively small amount that would transform the lives of young people. The Government would recoup the costs because fewer young people would be driven to homelessness or offending.

"This motion is not a criticism of Surrey County Council, but a call to action to society as a whole, we must acknowledge that society has changed and that those in foster care should share in the benefits of that change and receive greater support. We must step up to the plate and honour our moral obligation to young people in foster care.

"This is a logical progression of this Council's charter and commitment to young people in foster care that was signed by the Cabinet Member earlier this year."

Will Foster's motion was carried, with an amendment from the Conservatives which Will Forster accepted.