Cumbria County Council fostering service announced today (24 January) that all of its foster carers and Homestays providers will receive a grant of £500 this month to help with the rising cost of living.
The one-off payment – drawn from the Household Support Fund which the council run on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions – is an additional boost that will be welcomed by families amid rising food and energy costs.
All Cumbria County Council foster carers already receive a weekly fee and maintenance allowance for each child they foster; with newly approved carers receiving up to £301 a week foreach child they care for, and experienced carers up to £506.
There is also a commitment to reviewing foster carer’s fees and children’s maintenance allowances in light of the continued increase in the cost living later in the year before April 2023.
Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:“The positive difference that our amazing foster carers and Homestays providers make to the lives of vulnerable children and young people is, of course, priceless but it’s important that we seize every opportunity that we can to show they are valued by us.
“We recognise that these are exceptional times and that many of our carers have had to cope with greater heating, food, travel and other costs in order to continue in their vital role.
“I am proud and delighted that we can make this payment to all of our carers and our Homestays providers at a time when family budgets are tighter than ever as the cost of living continues to soar and I hope it goes some way towards helping to ease the burden.”
If you’ve ever considered fostering then now is the right to come forward. As a local authority fostering service, Cumbria County Council are a non-profit organisation, who put children first and at the heart of everything we do.
If you foster for the council, you will care for a local child or young person, so they can continue to live in Cumbria, close to their friends, school and all that is important to them. In return you’ll receive an excellent package of pay, training and support throughout every step of your journey.
To find out more about fostering with Cumbria County Council visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/fostering or call 0303 333 1216.
