The latest report by the Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee drew attention to a national shortage of foster carers for looked-after children and recommended that a standard framework for fee payments be developed, including retainers when carers do not have placements.

So in the run up to Foster Care Fortnight, which focuses attention on the role and recruitment of foster carers, leading independent fostering agency, Perpetual Fostering, has put together some straightforward guidelines on this important work.