Member

The noble Lord, Lord Young, raised the point about financial recompense for foster carers being one of the reasons why they leave foster care. There is a national minimum allowance for foster carers. Beyond that, councils and fostering agencies have the flexibility to pay fees for foster carers that reflect their experience, skills and development or to provide extra support for children with more complex needs. Many fostering service providers supplement that with local offers such as council tax deductions or discounts for local child-friendly attractions and services. Fostering service providers often also provide extra money for taking children on holiday or to celebrate a birthday or religious festival. We believe that it is for fostering service providers to set their own payment structures for those additional things in accordance with local needs and budget needs. These things are happening and are very helpful in addressing some of the issues noble Lords have raised with respect to recompense.