Foster carers and homestay providers in Cumbria will be given a £500 grant to help them with the rising cost of living.
The one-off grant is from the Household Support Fund which the council runs on behalf of the Government.
Councillor Anne Burns, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The positive difference that our amazing foster carers and Homestays providers make to the lives of vulnerable children and young people is, of course, priceless but it’s important that we seize every opportunity that we can to show they are valued by us.
“We recognise that these are exceptional times and that many of our carers have had to cope with greater heating, food, travel and other costs in order to continue in their vital role.
“I am proud and delighted that we can make this payment to all of our carers and our Homestays providers at a time when family budgets are tighter than ever as the cost of living continues to soar and I hope it goes some way towards helping to ease the burden.”
All Cumbria County Council foster carers receive a weekly fee and maintenance allowance for each child they foster; with newly approved carers receiving up to £301 a week for each child they care for, and experienced carers up to £506.
There is also a commitment to reviewing foster carer’s fees and children’s maintenance allowances in light of the continued increase in the cost living later in the year, before April 2023.
To find out more about fostering with Cumbria County Council visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/fostering or call 0303 33301216.
