Call for national minimum allowances in Scotland

Leading charity the Fostering Network Scotland is calling on the Government to end a postcode lottery that sees many foster carers out of pocket from caring for fostered children.

The charity has published new figures that show the true cost of looking after a fostered child and wants to see the Government introduce a national minimum allowance in line with these figures, payable to all foster carers in Scotland.

National minimum allowances have been set by the governments in England and Northern Ireland. However, there is no government minimum allowance in Scotland, meaning Scottish foster carers are not guaranteed enough money to cover the full costs of looking after a fostered child. As a result, many foster carers are left with the choice to dip into their own pockets or see their fostered children go without.

The new figures show that it costs at least £125.09 a week to look after a child under the age of four, rising to £215.74 for a child aged 16 to 18. This amount takes into account the extra costs of food, travel, pocket money, clothing, school uniforms and equipment, as well as an amount towards holidays, birthdays and religious festivals.

In a survey carried out last year, the Fostering Network found that half of local authorities in Scotland were paying less than the charity’s recommended rates. With the new figures, the charity wants to see a statutory national minimum allowance so that all foster carers know they will be able to cover the costs of fostering.

For more information contact the Fostering Network on 020 7620 6425 or email media@fostering.net