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Written question asked by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 2025 (named day). It was answered by Josh MacAlister (Labour) on Friday, 31 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Foster Care and Kinship Care: Leave

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to take steps to ensure that (a) kinship and (b) foster carers have the same employment leave rights as (i) adoptive, (ii) maternity and (iii) paternity carers.

Answer

The government has committed to conducting a review of the whole parental leave system. This review was launched on 1 July and represents a much-needed opportunity to consider our approach to the system of parental leave and pay.

The department will also consider whether the support available meets the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

Foster carers who combine fostering with paid employment have a range of existing workplace rights and legal entitlements to help manage their dual responsibilities, including the right to request flexible working from day one, introduced through the Employment Rights Bill, and adoption leave where applicable. The department also supports The Fostering Network’s ‘Fostering Friendly Employers’ campaign.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
84062
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Foster care Leave Kinship care
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk