Fosterer fees key to easing carer shortage, claims think-tank

Foster carers should be given an annual fee with the most experienced being paid a formal salary, a think-tank has claimed.

A report by The Policy Exchange, Fostering Ambitions: Reforming the foster Care System in England and Wales, calls for widespread reform of fostering to address a shortage of carers.

A year-round fee depending on experience would give foster carers greater recognition, the report argues.

The think-tank said the fee should be set locally but based on a nationally agreed set of principles. Through this fee additional money will be handed out based on length of time a child stays with the carer. The characteristics of the child would also be taken into account.

A top tier of experienced foster carers should also be created to recognise the skills of those who care for children with complex and challenging needs. For this group a formal salary should be brought in.

Matthew Oakley, co-author of the report, said: “Getting more and better quality carers into the system is essential. Improving the system now will pay huge dividends in the future. It is also essential that local authorities are held to account.”

The Policy Exchange has also called for councils to use independent foster agencies more frequently and for the government to strip failing councils of their role as a foster care provider.

Fostering Network chief executive Robert Tapsfield backed the report’s call for a year-round fee for foster carers.

He added: “The Fostering Network has long argued that foster carers need to be paid for their time, skills and experience.”