Welfare Reform

Growurown

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

They get an allowance of £980pm, to pay for the child's needs.

Where does this figure come from?

[Deleted User]

Growurown wrote: »

Where does this figure come from?

From seven-day-weekend's post HERE.

I've just noticed, that figure is for outside London.

For inside London, it's £1152.71pm.

Growurown

According to this website

http://www.simplyfostering.co.uk/how-can-i-become-a-carer/fostering-allowance

the fostering allowance (as you say) pays for the child's expenses such as food and clothes etc. It is not a salary for the foster parent and states: -

'The payment takes into account the fact that foster care for children costs more than caring for birth children.'

Maybe this is why the payment seems so high to you.

It then says: -

'In addition to the fostering allowance other payments may be made to foster carers, depending on their experience and qualifications. These payments are often between £50 and £200 per week.'

That doesn't seem like a lot to me for the hassle many foster parents have to put up.

seven-day-weekend

Growurown wrote: »

According to this website

http://www.simplyfostering.co.uk/how-can-i-become-a-carer/fostering-allowance

the fostering allowance (as you say) pays for the child's expenses such as food and clothes etc. It is not a salary for the foster parent and states: -

'The payment takes into account the fact that foster care for children costs more than caring for birth children.'

Maybe this is why the payment seems so high to you.

It then says: -

'In addition to the fostering allowance other payments may be made to foster carers, depending on their experience and qualifications. These payments are often between £50 and £200 per week.'

That doesn't seem like a lot to me for the hassle many foster parents have to put up.

Why? Serious question. What extra costs are there?

[Deleted User]

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Why? Serious question. What extra costs are there?

My thoughts exactly.

Two children, both the same age and gender, one a biological child and one a foster child.

Why does the foster one cost more to house, clothe, feed, etc. :huh:

Growurown

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Why? Serious question. What extra costs are there?

I have no official response to this, I can't quote you any figures - however I know a couple who foster. Sometimes children arrive with very little. The foster parent has to kit them out with everything. Many foster children (not all by any means) come from very troubled backgrounds. They can be very destructive. One child destroyed every item of furniture in their bedroom. It all had to be replaced. Bedwetting is very common resulting in additional costs for bedding and washing etc. Some children who have suffered neglect crave affection and in order to get it will give away their possessions, these have to be replaced. There are countless meetings with social services and all the other statutory bodies involved with the child so there are extra travel costs. It is unlikely in a 'normal' family that a birth child would cause these issues, so I believe there are extra costs to raising a foster child.

seven-day-weekend

Thankyou Growurown for your explanation.

365days

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

My thoughts exactly.

Two children, both the same age and gender, one a biological child and one a foster child.

Why does the foster one cost more to house, clothe, feed, etc. :huh:

My friend is a foster carer. Albeit for younger children but she receives nothing like this amount. In fact she can earn more per 24hr period by dog sitting.

Foster children often arrive with nothing or little. That is what costs the money. It is also hard to hold down any other job while fostering as there are so many meetings/access visits etc etc to be available for.

(apologies growyrown...Ihadn't read your post before posting the same!)

Depth_Charge

Hi

Cons & scams on the return to target those squeezed with their budgets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22975304

Depth_Charge

Hi

Rents on the up according to this report, a bit on budgeting also

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22991939