Adam Ingram, minister for children and early years in the Scottish Government, confirmed last week that he will launch a national foster and kinship care strategy before the end of the year.
Speaking at a parliamentary debate on fees for foster and kinship carers on Wednesday 24 October, Ingram outlined his determination to deliver "consistent, secure, high-quality and nurturing care" for vulnerable children. He said that measures outlined in the strategy will be central to achieving this vision.
While he refused to be pinned down on standard payments for foster carers, he said the Government will be extending the £4 million package for training and advice for foster and kinship carers to those who provide respite and short-term placements.
Ingram also praised the Fostering Network Scotland for services offered to foster carers who are the subject of allegations and for its work to recruit and retain foster carers.
Bryan Ritchie, director of the Fostering Network Scotland, said:
"We are delighted that foster and kinship care got such a good airing in this very well-informed parliamentary debate. Some really important issues about the difficulties foster and kinship carers face were discussed. I am particularly pleased that the issue of payments to foster carers was central to the debate.
"However, I would urge the minister to include provision for standard, realistic payments to all foster carers. People foster because they want to help vulnerable children, but they should still be able to go on holiday and pay their rent or mortgage without fear of getting into debt."