Pictured above: (l-r) Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, with government minister Tim Loughton

Children's minister Tim Loughton became the seventh government minister to visit the Ricoh Arena in Coventry this year when he attended a national event at the venue.

Mr Loughton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, was a guest speaker at the national conference of the National Fostering Agency (NFA).

His visit came just two months after Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg led a six-minister delegation for the national Local Enterprise Partnership summit at the Ricoh Arena.

Mr Loughton, who studied at the University of Warwick, spoke to around 250 delegates at the annual conference of the NFA, one of the longest established independent fostering agencies in the UK.

Dr Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England, was also a guest speaker at the high-profile event, along with Chris Hoyle, a trustee of A National Voice, an organisation run by and for young people in care, and 20-year-old Luke Rodgers, from Yorkshire, who was brought up in care.

Luke, who helps young people in coming to terms with their care experiences and in making the best of their life chances, addressed the conference on the importance of society not giving up on young people.

It was the first time that a government minister had attended the NFA's national conference, held during National Fostering Fortnight.  

Mr Loughton said: "I was at Warwick University some 28 years ago and, although I have been back to Coventry since, I had not visited this side of the city until now and had not been to the Ricoh Arena.

"It is very impressive and is a real transformation to what was here before. I would like to try to come back to watch the football to be played here during the Olympics."

Iain Anderson, chief executive of the NFA, said: "This is the third consecutive year that we have held our national conference at the Ricoh Arena. It is an outstanding venue with great facilities, support and service.

"The venue is in a perfect location as it is the one time of the year when all of our social workers from England, Wales and Scotland come together to learn about our new initiatives to support our customers, carers and the children and young people in our care."

He added: "It is significant for us as an organisation and recognition of our contribution to looked after children that Mr Loughton and Dr Atkinson were able to give up their time to speak at our conference."

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said: "We are delighted to have hosted the NFA's national conference once again and to have welcomed Tim Loughton, the seventh minister to visit here since March.

"Our reputation for hosting high-profile events is growing month by month and underlines the high standard of our facilities." 

This year's conference, entitled "Embracing Change", reflected the considerable changes introduced over the last year to looked after children's services.

The NFA is the first independent fostering agency in the UK to be awarded Leading Improvements for Looked After Children (LILAC) accreditation by A National Voice.