Allowances for foster carers to rise

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Fees and maintenance payments to foster parents in Coventry are to rise as part of an on-going drive to increase the number of carers.



From April fees paid to foster carers will rise by two per cent while maintenance payments and all other child care allowances are to rise by five per cent.

The lowest band of payments to foster carers will also be scrapped meaning the minimum fee any person will receive for fostering a child will be £139.37.

General allowances rising by five per cent means a weekly general allowance for a child aged up to four will jump to £262.68 while the allowance for a young person aged between 16 and 18 will increase to £453.06.

Holiday allowance will also rise as part of the move from between £394.02 to £679.59 depending on the child's age.

Further changes will see friends and family weekly allowances aligned with internal foster carer fees and any level two foster carers who has completed the relevant training and has at least five years experience will automatically receive level three payments.

The reason for the changes is to make foster caring more attractive to people and to bring the city more in line with that national Fostering Network.

Approving the increases, Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Coventry City Council's Cabinet Member for Children Learning and Young People, believes the move makes perfect sense.

He said: "We value our current carers and appreciate the cost pressures that they face too and want to reward them for their hard work and loyalty.

"Some people may be surprised that we are increasing fees and maintenance allowances at a time when the council is facing very tough financial pressures.

"But the fact is that independent foster agencies are twice as costly as our own foster carers so it makes sense that we are as attractive as possible to reduce the amount we currently pay in the long run.

"These changes will move us towards a position to enhance and encourage more people to join our appeal to become a foster adopter."

Anyone wanting more information about becoming a foster carer, or to adopt a child, should contact Coventry City Council on 024 7683 2828.

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The rise is offset to a large extent as foster carers can no longer claim Housing Benefit from next April under new government rules.