Foster carers in Havering are to be given more attractive rates of pay in a plan to retain and recruit new carers.
The Council’s Cabinet has approved the new allowances which will see payments to local foster carers brought in line with national fostering increases.
The new allowances and fees aim is to make it more appealing for potential foster carers to come forward and also to ensure existing carers remain with the Council.
The payments to foster carers were last reviewed in 2021, but with a rise in the cost of living and some carers looking after more complex children, a decision was made to review and increase the rates of pay.
The fees will be reviewed annually, in line with the central government’s review of foster carer national minimum allowances.
The Council hopes that the increase in payment will help it achieve its annual target of recruiting 12 in-house foster carers.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“One of our key priorities is keeping children in care as close to their families and the borough as possible, and by recruiting more foster carers and showing our appreciation for existing foster carers in the way they are paid, we will be able to give children more stability in an environment already known to them.
“We hope it will help us to overcome the ongoing challenges we face in recruiting foster carers and to attract a high calibre of carers.
“It will also help to reduce the significant costs the Council faces when using independent fostering agencies and in some cases children’s homes, to place children.”
The new changes will see fosters carers with an increase in their weekly fee starting from £400 per week, which includes their own and their child’s weekly allowance and will be dependent on numerous factors, such as the age of the child and the level of care involved.
At present Havering foster carers also receive a wide-ranging package which includes council tax exemption, complimentary access to the borough’s leisure centres, free green bin collections, free car parking in selected parking spaces, as well as ongoing training and support from staff and other foster carers.
To find out more about fostering and to speak to someone about becoming a foster carer visit: