Council to increase fostering cash incentive

A council is to significantly increase the weekly payments to foster carers who agree to continue to live with them after becoming 18.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is to hike the payments from £177.33 to £247.85 in a bid to reduce a decline in families agreeing to the arrangement.

Lancashire County Council, which provides children's services to 12 boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, is also taking steps to boost foster caring.

Approval of the Blackburn with Darwen rise has been given by the authority's children's services lead, Julie Gunn.

Her report said councils had a duty to support young people aged 18-21 to keep living with their former foster carers.

Both the foster carers and the young adult must always agree to the arrangement.

Councillor Gunn's report said: "Over the last two years the amount of care leavers staying with their foster carers in these arrangements has declined.

"Foster carers have shared with us that the current allowance does not adequately cover the costings required to maintain the care leaver's home."

The council added the cost is significantly less than if a care leaver still needed care and support post 18.

Lancashire County Council is to encourage more of its staff to become foster carers by giving them extra leave and flexible working.

Foster carers on its payroll would receive paid time off - wherever possible - to settle a child into their household, attend statutory meetings in relation to the children and undertake training for their role.

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