Boost to foster carers’ pay

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 15:50

By David Murphy

Foster carers are to receive increased payments and allowances in recognition of the valuable work they do in giving children a home.

They could also receive a Council Tax discount of 50%, starting next year, as part of measures to attract more foster carers and retain the existing skilled and experienced carers.

Currently there are 371 children in the council’s care. This has placed significant demand pressures upon placements and the availability of foster care placements in Bury. As a result, too many children are being placed outside the borough in Independent Foster Agency or residential placements, which are significantly more expensive.

The council also has 140 care leavers aged 18 years or older, and needs to ensure sufficient options are available for them to stay with foster carers after they turn 18 or to enable them to live in a Supported Lodgings placement.

Bury approved foster carers receive professional fees and maintenance allowances for each child they care for, but the rates for the professional fees have not been reviewed for over 10 years.

The council’s cabinet has now agreed to increase maintenance allowances by between 6% and 34% depending on the age of the child, and approved considerably higher rises in the allowances paid for holidays, festivals and birthdays. It has recommended to full council that carers also receive a Council Tax discount of 50%, starting in 2024/25.

Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Our foster carers do a tremendous job in giving a caring, loving home to young people across Bury. But we recognise, especially during this cost of living crisis, that we need to do more to support them.

“By improving our professional fees, maintenance allowances and incentives, we will attract more prospective foster carers to Bury and retain the skilled and experienced carers we have.

“This will enable our children and young people to remain in their familiar locality and school, and ultimately lead to the best outcomes for them.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Seven Sisters tenants reaction to the news they could soon be removed

Billy Jackson has called Rochdale’s Seven Sisters home for 40 years. But shock decision means 2025 will be his final year in the iconic tower blocks.
Festive magic arrives in Bury as North Pole Safari Trail transforms town centre

Free augmented reality trail, festive lights switch-on and family events launch Christmas celebrations in Bury
Replacement mosque plans approved despite concerns about parking

Plans to knock down and rebuild a mosque in Prestwich have been approved despite a 1,630 person petition opposing it.
Andy Burnham ‘taken aback’ by decision to move hundreds out of Seven Sisters towers

Andy Burnham was ‘taken aback’ by a decision to clear Rochdale’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ tower blocks, forcing hundreds from their homes.
Nine-bed HMO built ‘without permission’ discovered after neighbours complain

Council enforcement officers discovered a nine-bed HMO had been created without permission after a complaint from neighbours, councillors have heard.
Rochdale’s music legacy takes centre stage with iconic Cargo Studios reunion

Rochdale’s rich musical heritage was centre stage at a packed launch event marking the beginning of a new borough-wide celebration called ‘Rochdale Music Stories’, featuring big names like Peter Hook, Clint Boon and Andy McCluskey.
Naked man stops traffic on Rochdale Road in Bury in shocking mid-morning incident

A naked man caused disruption on a busy Bury road on Wednesday morning, swatting at cars and attempting to open vehicle doors before being detained and taken to hospital.
Seven Sisters tower blocks to be emptied over safety concerns

Residents of the iconic tower blocks that have dominated the skyline of Rochdale since the 1960s have been told they will be evicted due to safety concerns.
Culture Co-op secures £1 million to give Rochdale residents more say over arts and creativity

Rochdale’s Culture Co-op has been awarded £1 million to put local people at the heart of cultural decision-making, as part of a £42 million national programme run by Arts Council England.
Hollin pupils turn happiness into poetry during magical session in Middleton

Middleton Library plays host to spellbinding session with Rochdale’s poet laureate Sammy Weaver
Waugh presses government to ensure grooming inquiry tackles race and class ‘head on’

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says national grooming inquiry must win survivors’ trust and 'follow the evidence wherever it leads’
Goodbye garlic bread? Sandbrook Park Pizza Hut to shut as 68 UK branches axed

Rochdale’s Pizza Hut restaurant is among dozens of UK branches set to permanently shut, after the company that operated the brand in the UK fell into administration.