Paying foster carers more should save in long term

Wednesday 16th December 2009, 2:29PM GMT.

Foster carer illustration INCREASING foster carers’ payments now will save the Health and Social Services Department money in the future, according to a spokesman for the department.

The current lack of foster carers in the island has resulted in lower outgoings, enabling the service to review allowances.

As from 1 January, payments will be doubled to between £15,600 and £26,520 per child per year. The rate will depend on the child’s age and the carer’s skills and experience.

HSSD is not anticipating needing extra money to cover the increases as, each year, the department allocates an annual budget to the Fostering and Adoption Team to cover the cost of carers.

‘Because we have not had the requisite number of foster carers this year, a proportion of this fund has remained unspent,’ said the spokesman.