Press releases

Consultation on minimum fostering allowances is vital, says BAAF

Issued: 31 January 2006

BAAF today responded to the launch of the consultation on proposals to establish a minimum allowance for foster carers.

BAAF Chief Executive Felicity Collier says: “BAAF campaigned long and hard for a national minimum allowance for foster carers. This consultation is a vital opportunity for those affected to have their say on how the allowance should be calculated. We urge foster carers, their families and friends, service providers, social workers, managers and young people in foster care to respond to the consultation and play their part in ensuring allowances reflect the full cost of caring for a child.”

“We must remember, however, that establishing a minimum fostering allowance is only one small step on the road to recognition of the critical role foster carers play in children’s lives. Foster carers must have a proper wage like every member of the children’s workforce. They also need greater access to specialist support and training to help them understand the behaviour of children who have had such difficult early experiences and to meet their needs. This will enable them to be available to look after society’s most vulnerable children and to acquire the skills to transform their lives.

“Only sustained and ongoing investment will end the current drastic shortage of foster carers, which means all too often that children are placed in the first available bed and are moved too many times.”

Read more about the consultation on our Consultation section.

Notes to Editors

For more information, contact Daisy O'Clee on 020 7421 2632/ 07767 444 589 or Lucy Handford on 020 7421 2633 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk / lucy.handford@baaf.org.uk