This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Foster care service improvements
11/11/2004
An extra £12 million to provide more foster carers and more foster places for children was announced today.
Speaking in Parliament, Deputy Minister for Education and Young People Euan Robson said:
"Our existing foster carers are caring for some of Scotland's most vulnerable and troubled young people and help us build stronger, safer communities. We owe it to them to provide the support they need.
"In addition, as the number of young people who need looking after continues to rise, so does the need to encourage more people into fostering. We can achieve this by increasing allowances and by providing the right support and the right training.
"We will increase allowances across the board, going further than our commitment at the time of the Budget to increase allowances for those caring for youngsters aged over 15.
"By investing in Scotland's foster carers we will reduce the need for so many children to be looked after in what is often very expensive residential care. This funding will allow local authorities to make an investment in foster care to aid that transition in service delivery terms."
Bryan Ritchie, Manager of The Fostering Network Scotland, said:
"This is a major investment by the Scottish Executive and as such is warmly welcomed. Local authorities throughout Scotland must now prioritise foster care and use this money to invest in this vital service.
"I would urge them to use this grant to update the allowances paid to their carers, to bring them in line with the Fostering Network's minimum allowances, in order that we end the need for carers to subsidise the care of these, our most vulnerable, children.
"I am confident this will begin to address the recruitment crisis facing foster care in Scotland."
The £12 million will be given to local authorities during 2005-06 and 2006-07. Details of how much each will receive will be announced early next year.
The Executive will work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on how the money can best be used to support foster carers and attract more to the vocation.
There has been a 3 per cent increase in looked after children since 2003.
Of the 11,675 young people looked after at end March 2004, 3,461 were with foster carers - an increase of five per cent since last year and 13 per cent since 2000.
Latest figures show that there are 1,487 young people in residential care, up from 1,458 last year.
The average cost per child for foster care per week is approximately £209. The average cost per child in residential care is £1,323.
The Executive has commissioned the Fostering Network to undertake an audit of Scotland's fostering services and examine the support and training available to foster carers. Its findings are due to be published by March 2005.
For 2004-05 approximately £1.8 billion has been allocated to local authorities to carry out social work functions including the provision of foster care.