Foster parents will have access to the Government’s 30 hours free childcare offer for the first time from September.

The move will give foster careers the same rights to free childcare as other working families in England.

Minister for children and families, Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘We want to make sure foster parents have the option of being able to work on top of their caring responsibilities, where it works for them and the children they care for. For many, this could make the difference between being able to foster or not, so it’s absolutely right that we support them with this challenging but rewarding role.'

The announcement was welcomed by the Fostering Network.

Chief executive Kevin Williams said: 'The 15 extra hours will not be appropriate for all fostered children, but some foster carers, particularly family and friends carers and those offering long-term fostering, will need or want to combine fostering with work outside of the home, and this change will enable them to be able to do so. This is particularly good news for the recruitment of foster carers and is consistent with the message from Government that fostering can be combined with other work.'

The Government also announced that over 340,000 children aged were in a 30 hour place in the first year of the policy.