Foster carers across the county are to receive an additional 12.4% fostering allowance from 1st April.
On top of the increased weekly allowance paid to Lincolnshire’s foster carers, there will continue to be extra payments to help with additional expenses to support fostering households. This is in addition to the annual retention payment made to foster families.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Foster carers provide a vital role in looking after some of the county’s most vulnerable children. This allows them to grow up in a nurturing family home within their local community, keeping them connected with everything that’s important to them. So, we’re delighted to be able to provide our foster carers with some extra financial support at this time of rising living costs.
“In Lincolnshire, there is a need for residents to come forward for all types of fostering, especially to look after teenagers, siblings, children with additional needs and children who need long-term homes. Being a foster carer can be a challenging role, but it’s also hugely rewarding. Foster carers often speak of a sense of pride in seeing the child develop and flourish.
“We always look to our own in-house foster carers first and are careful to ensure carers have the right knowledge, skills, and experience to meet children’s needs, which means that our foster carers are more likely to get regular placements within their preferred age range and skill set. That makes Lincolnshire County Council the best option for fostering in the county.”
Lincolnshire has a diverse fostering community. Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity, or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.
