Thread by @MartinBarrow

The National Association of Fostering Providers is ALWAYS at the top table when government or local authorities talk about foster care. So what is @theNAFP ? 1/

It claims to be 'not for profit'. But its sole purpose is to help its members increase their share of the foster care 'market' and to earn more profits. 2/

A small number of members are charities/not for profit. But the vast majority are run for profit. Most children in NAFP care are with agencies owned by private equity firms. 3/

In the last full financial year NAFP members earned profits of more than £100 million.

By comparison, local authority children's services expect a shortfall of £130 million next year. 4/

Executive members are overwhelmingly provided by private equity firms 5/

The NAFP's biggest members also own most of our children's homes and are also represented by the Independent Children's Homes Association.

The NAFP and ICHA coordinate their campaigns and work together to lobby the government and local authorities. 6/

Some members share the NAFP's weekly updates with me. They are generally written by Harvey Gallagher and emailed to members by Marie Tucker. Both attend meetings with government and LAs and report back to members. 7/

The thrust of these communications is how members can win more business.

The NAFP always challenges claims that a) agencies exist to make a profit; and b) are more expensive than in-house foster care. 8/

They do and they are. 8/

If I were a trustee for Action for Children or Barnardo's, for example, I'd want to know what values we shared with private equity companies. 9/

I have been reminded by helpful followers that the NAFP took local authorities to court to win more business for private companies. communitycare.co.uk/2015/08/06/cou…