Press releases

Leading charity welcomes Health Minister´s commitment to increase allowances for foster carers, but warns that more support is needed

Issued: 23 February 2006

The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) today responded to the announcement made by Health Minister Shaun Woodward, confirming a major financial commitment to foster care in Northern Ireland.

BAAF Chief Executive Felicity Collier says: "It is vital that foster carers receive allowances that fully cover the cost of looking after children. BAAF is delighted that the Minister has decided to introduce a minimum allowance in Northern Ireland. We campaigned long and hard for this.

"Last year we called on the Government to invest an extra £28.5 million for quality foster care for children in Northern Ireland. Our report showed that there is a shortfall of at least 350 foster carers across Northern Ireland. We are pleased that the Government has recognised our concerns and welcome their measures to increase the number of foster carers."

"However, there is still much more that needs to be done to ensure that foster carers are recognised for the critical role that they play in children´s lives. Only sustained and ongoing investment in Northern Ireland, will address the crisis in recruitment and retention of foster carers, placement disruption and further instability."

"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 care for children who may have had difficult early experiences. It is crucial that we support our foster carers in looking after Northern Ireland´s most vulnerable children."

Notes to editors

1. 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
2. Over the next two years, spending on foster care in Northern Ireland, will be increased by £4m in 2006/7 followed by a further increase of £2m in 2007/8. A sum of £1.2m of the £4m available in 2006/7 will be set aside specifically to increase foster care allowances.
3. BAAF and the Fostering Network launched a unique report in Northern Ireland, ´The Cost of Foster Care - Investing in our children's future´, in September 2005. The report called on the Northern Ireland Government to invest an extra £28.5 million in foster care services. Download a copy of the report.