Published: 30 May 2023

In light of the recent Cost of Living pressures, and in recognition of the invaluable work foster carers do, Hertfordshire County Council has agreed to increase the skills element of the weekly foster carer payment by nine per cent.

This is an addition to the recent 12.43 per cent increase of the foster carer set allowance, awarded by the Government.

The extra payments will be awarded to foster carers and backdated to May, taking a foster carer's average weekly pay to £502.30 per week. (based on caring for a child aged 11-15 and includes skills and child allowance).

The news comes just a couple of months after a recent Outstanding Ofsted award was given to Hertfordshire County Council's children services.

Welcoming the news is foster carer Nicole from Stevenage who has been fostering for five years. She said: "The pay increase means that we don't have to worry about having enough money to meet the needs of our foster children.

"Our pay increase makes me feel so valued as a foster carer."

Also pleased with the increase is foster carer Jools from Hemel Hempstead, who with her partner Ed, has fostered for Hertfordshire County Council for nine years.

She said: "I think it's fair to say we are pleased with the pay rise as things have been so difficult with the huge increases in food, fuel, utilities and clothing. I think along with the increase of qualifying care relief it will be a help."

There are currently approximately 1,000 children in care in Hertfordshire but only 410 fostering households.

Councillor Fiona Thomson, Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to raise the pay of our wonderful foster carers. This is a real commitment and acknowledgement of the vital contribution our foster carers make.

"We are fully aware of the pressures that our foster carers are facing in terms of the cost-of-living crisis and are pleased to be able to support them further. As ever, we are very grateful to our foster carers for the amazing work they do."

Hertfordshire County Council urgently needs more foster carers. As well as generous pay and allowances, the council offers local comprehensive training and 24/7 support, and is a Fostering Friendly council, giving extra holiday and support to employees who are foster carers.

Anyone interested in fostering should be aged over 21 and have a spare room.

To find out more visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fostering , text FOSTERING to 62277 or ring 0800 917 0925.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Our social workers and fostering and adoption support for families were rated as Outstanding following a recent inspection by Ofsted, making Hertfordshire's Children's Services department one of the best in the country.

Inspectors praised the fact that ` Children are well supported by social workers and their views are regularly obtained. Children live in stable, long-term homes which meet their individual needs and support them to flourish. Where possible, children live with their brothers and sisters.'

The Fostering Friendly accreditation, overseen by The Fostering Network, recognises employers who actively support fostering across their organisation, and in particular, foster carers and family and friends carers. To gain accreditation, we have implemented policies that provide practical support to employees who foster, and guidance to those who wish to become an approved foster carers themselves.

We offer a flexible working pattern to foster carers and those going through the application process, who can access a minimum of five days extra paid leave for their fostering commitments. These involve meetings with social workers and other agencies, attending training, settling young people into their new home.

Case studies and interviewees can be made available.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.