Bury: Foster carers offered financial support by council

Support for people who decide to give a home to child in need includes a council tax discount of 50 per cent as well as increased payments and allowances in recognition of the valuable work they do.

These measures are part of the council’s mission to attract more foster carers and retain the borough’s existing skilled and experienced carers.

As part of “Foster Carer Fortnight”, the council is inviting anyone interested in become a foster carer to attend drop-in meetings taking place throughout May and talk to the council’s dedicated team.

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There are currently 371 children in the council’s care which places significant pressures upon placements and the availability of foster care placements in Bury.

As a result, too many children are being placed outside the borough in independent foster agency or residential placements, which are significantly more expensive.

As well as the 50 per cent council tax discount, the council has agreed to increase maintenance allowances by between six per cent and 34 per cent, depending on the age of the child.

It has also approved considerably higher rises in the allowances paid for holidays, festivals and birthdays.

Cllr Lucy Smith, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Giving a child a home as a foster carer is one of the greatest things you could do.

“I want to thank all the amazing foster carers we have in Bury who do an amazing job day and night.

“Fostering with Bury means our children and young people can stay connected to their community, family and friends, which helps both our young people and our foster carers.

“That is why we have invested in better benefits, more support and proper training for any would be foster carer – as well as an opportunity to speak to our current families. If you would be interested in a fulfilling career as a foster parent, please get in touch.”

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Further benefits being introduced for Bury foster carers include:

Adjustment Fee

Foster carers could receive a discretionary payment equivalent to the Foster Carer Professional Fee for two weeks at the end of a challenging placement, when a long-term placement comes to an unexpected end, a difficult disruption or, at a time of bereavement, to offer some time and space to carers without worrying about having no income from fostering.

Short Breaks

Foster carers will receive an annual Short Break Allowance of 7 nights for which they will be paid their fee while the child stays with a different foster carer.

Carers will receive the allowance even if they do not take the short break.

Retainer Fee

This is to help carers worried about being able to financially manage if there was a gap between caring for children. It is linked to the day rate equivalent of the Professional Fee for 4 weeks maximum per year per fostering household.

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PAMS Assist/Silver Cloud

This an employee benefit scheme, extended to foster carers, which covers emotional/wellbeing support as well as financial and legal advice.

Carers have reported that this additional support is welcome, and cited mental health support following the pressures of the Covid pandemic as reassuring.

Max Card

The Max Card is the UK’s leading discount card for cared for and looked after children.

Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. Bury Council already purchases the Max card for our children and young people aged 3 years and over.

Blue Light Card

This is a discount service for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces, providing members with thousands of discounts online and on the high street.

Blue Light card holders can download an App and access a huge range of discounts for the family.

This is beneficial for fostering families to get discounts on a variety of things including activities, day trips, goods, cinema visits etc.

The cost of this benefit is £5, payable every three years. We will encourage our carers to apply for this themselves and claim this back from us via their expenses.

Residents interested in fostering can attend a drop-in session on the following dates:

• Tuesday, May 16 – Prestwich Library (11am-2pm)

• Wednesday, May 17 – Online fostering information webinar (7pm-8pm). Book your free place here

• Friday, May 19 – Radcliffe Library (12pm to 2pm)

• Tuesday, May 23 – Bury Library (11am-2pm)

• Wednesday, May 24 – Bury Market (10am-2pm)

• Thursday, May 25 – John Lewis, The Trafford Centre (Joint event with all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities: 10am-10pm)

• Friday, May 26 – Ramsbottom Library (11am-2pm)