Foster carers are to get a cash boost to help their families weather the cost of living crisis. Those living in Stockport will see their allowances and fees go up by 8pc from April, ‘delighted’ council bosses have announced.
They will also see the amount they are paid for the ‘refer a friend’ scheme double from £500 to £1,000. ‘Louise’, a foster carer in the borough, has praised the council for the move.
She said: “No one goes into fostering for money, however the cost of living was impacting carers ability to pay for household bills and ultimately giving the children everything they could without subsidising themselves. We are delighted that the council has recognised that Stockport children need to be supported financially when they cannot, for whatever reason, live with their birth family.
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"Personally as a carer I feel extremely valued that my fee for being a carer is being increased.” She was also concerned fostering could have become ‘the preserve of those with additional incomes’, something she believes is ‘not right’.
“Our local children need foster carers from across every social and economic status, employed, self employed, retired, on benefits, single, couples and big families,” Louise added.
“I really hope that more local people will come forward to foster now. The 8pc uplift has left me feeling truly valued – the cost of living crisis has been like a black cloud raining down, but this feels like the sun has started to come out again!”
