FOSTER CARERS READY TO QUIT

Union say they fear new allowances cuts

The feminist punk band jailed for defying president Vladimir Putin are set to make an appearance at a Stirling music festival.

Three members of Pussy Riot were jailed in 2012 .

They will play at Doune the Rabbit Hole in August.

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Foster carers employed by Stirling Council may move to private agencies over fears they stand to lose up to £1000 a year, their union claimed this week.

The Foster Care Workers Union told the Observer the local authority foster carers had already been penalised by the removal of a £420 telephone allowance in this year’s budget.

But they added that many were also anxious that, despite assurances given by Stirling Council’s children and young people convener last week, an ongoing review could leave them even more out of pocket.

The union, a branch of the IWGB (Independent Workers Union of Great Britain), represents a number of Stirling area foster carers.

A third of council fostering families attended a meeting arranged by the union, all of whom were concerned over proposed changes and with the consultation process.

FCWU chair Jane Wright said: “For the second year in a row Stirling Council is planning to cut the fees and allowances paid to many of its foster carers.

“Last year all of the council’s fostering families were penalised by over

£400 per year when phone allowances were scrapped.

“This year’s proposals are more far reaching with many of the most experienced and long standing carers, those who care for children with high levels of need, standing to lose up to £1000 per annum.

“Nobody becomes a foster carer for the money.

“People step up to this demanding role in order to help children who need the security of loving stable homes.

“It is wrong for the council to continually target these civic minded individuals who do not have the employment protections that their other colleagues working in local government enjoy.”

Ms Wright said that, at a recent meeting between foster carers and elected representatives, every one of the fostering families represented indicated that they already subsidise the cost of care from their own pockets.

“Ultimately if foster carers cannot afford to work for Stirling Council they will move their registration to an independent fostering agency,” she added. “In the long run this will cost the council much more money than it would to financially support the inhouse fostering families they currently have.

“This is not just a local issue, many councils across Scotland are faced with the same budgetary issues and foster carers are an easy target. The IWGB calls on [Minister for Childcare and Early Years] Maree Todd and the Scottish Government to commit to adequately funding the cost of supporting foster carers with sufficient money to support children in need of state care.

“As a union we are also campaigning to achieve workers rights which will reflect the reality of the foster care role.

“We are also working towards the introduction of a Central Register of Foster Carers and for the introduction of properly funded realistic minimum allowances to cover the cost of care.

“It’s time to do the right thing by children in foster care and for those who look after them.”