Ms Catherine Bond:

In terms of access, I referred earlier to cases where there is a new infant. Obviously the desire is always that a new infant would go home to the natural parent and all attempts are made to ensure that happens. However, if there is a requirement for the foster carers to attend access four, five or six times a week, their family suffers and their own children do not get to go to soccer practice or dance practice. We must remember that foster care is taking place in a family home, not in an institution. It is around the demands on the foster carers and the need to be realistic that they are providing care to a child but it is within the context of a family home.