Lancashire fostering fees increased to attract and retain carers
The fees paid to foster carers by Lancashire County Council are to be overhauled in a £3m revamp designed to persuade more people to put themselves forward for the role - and encourage those who have already taken on the responsibility to continue their commitment.
Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! nowand live on Freeview channel 276
The authority's cabinet agreed to the changes after hearing that the level and nature of payments made to foster parents in Lancashire had fallen behind other local authorities and independent fostering agencies.
It comes as new figures reveal that more fosterers have recently left the county council-run service than are expected to be recruited.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBetween April and December 2021, 71 carers resigned - up from 64 across the whole of the 2020/21 financial year. Meanwhile, just 50 new recruits are forecast to be approved during 2021/22 - even though the authority aims to take on 75 new fosterers each year.