Foster carers in North Tyneside will receive a rise in child allowances in line with national standards.
As part of North Tyneside Council's attempt to encourage more people to become foster parents, the cabinet has approved an increase in weekly cash allowances given to parents. The allowances allow carers to try and cover the general living expenses of the children they look after.
The local authority had not previously followed Government guidelines as they are not legally binding, however, it is considered best practice. North Tyneside Council has previously paid the lowest allowances in the region with Stockton outperforming all other regional authorities.
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In addition, North Tyneside Council received a letter from Will Quince MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for children and families, asking why the local authority has not been paying carers the recommended minimum levels.
The previous North Tyneside minimum allowances by age a week are:
0-4, £134.49
5-10, £147.84
11-15, £184.05
16+, £194
Whereas the national guidelines by age a week are:
0-2, £137
3-4, £141
5-10, £156
11-15, £177
16+, £207
The council has allowed for up to a 10% increase in the Government guidelines with the rise in payments costing the council approximately £146,000 a year.
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There is no plan for an increase in payments for children between 11-15 as this was the sole age bracket the authority was paying over the recommended allowances. Those looking after two children will also be eligible for a £75 top up on their allowances.
Mayor Norma Redfern said: "We should be able to provide the best care for our young people. At the end of the day, they are our future."
There are currently 358 looked-after children throughout North Tyneside, equating to 80 per 10,000. A significant increase from the national average of 64 per 10,000.
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The council, over the next three years, also aims to recruit 30 foster households, 10 of which will provide specialist or sibling care. The number of foster carers in North Tyneside has fallen to an all-time low of 83.
A total of 13 foster carers have recently retired and left the council's fostering network.
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