Group of children
Group of children

Foster carers to get salary for skills

Foster carers in Liverpool looking after children in the council’s care are to be paid a skills allowance of up to £20,000 per year.

Payment for Skills will see the city council’s team of 300 foster carers paid a professional fee of up to £370 per week in recognition of the knowledge and expertise they bring to the care of looked after children.

It is part of changes designed to increase the recruitment and retention of foster carers, and recognise the high degree of professionalism needed to do the job.

The scheme is being launched on Monday 20 May at an event at Croxteth Hall attended by foster carers and the Chief Executive of the Fostering Network, Robert Tapsfield.

Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Our team of foster carers do an amazing job providing a loving home for our children.

“They deserve the very best support that we can offer, and that is why we are making changes to the system to better reflect the skills that they possess.

“It will also allow us to better match the abilities of foster carers to the needs of our children.”

There will be five fee levels linked to skills, knowledge, experience and professional development. Prior experience and relevant training will also be taken into account.

A steering group of foster carers and social work managers have drawn up and consulted on the new policy.

People interested in fostering can visit http://www.fosteringforliverpool.co.uk to find out more, or call the recruitment line on 0151 515 0000.

Foster carers need to be aged over 21, but there is no upper age limit. They can be single, married or co-habiting, straight or gay.

 

Liverpool Waterfront