Foster carers in Stoke-on-Trent to get higher payments for helping children in the city

Foster carers in Stoke-on-Trent are to get higher skills payments for the second and third children they foster to allow more care experienced children to be cared for locally in a supportive home env

Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet today (Tuesday 10 October) agreed that the authority should offer higher skills payments to foster carers who foster a second and third child. The skills payment is offered in addition to the Fostering Allowance and is based on experience, skills and how long they have been a foster carer.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “It’s our aim to keep children with their families where it is safe to do so but, where children do need to be cared for, our fantastic foster carers are invaluable.

“We know that children who are able to be cared for locally in a supportive home environment have better life outcomes. By increasing the skills payment for foster carers, we will increase the number who are able to care for a second and third child. This means more children cared for locally in the city and more foster carers able to care for sibling groups.

“I’d urge anyone who has a spare bedroom and wants to make a difference to the lives of children in Stoke-on-Trent to consider fostering.

There really is no typical foster carer. Anyone can come forward and make such a big difference in a child’s life regardless of age, gender, religious or cultural background, sexual orientation or if you are married, single or divorced. If you would like to know more about becoming a foster carer in Stoke-on-Trent visit www.fostering.stoke.gov.uk or call our friendly team on 01782 234555.”