£500 thank-you for foster carers’ ‘incredible’ work
ONE-OFF GESTURE IN GRATITUDE FOR EFFORTS
A ONE-OFF payment will be made to foster carers in Nottinghamshire to recognise their valuable contribution.
The £500 payment will be received by all Nottinghamshire County Council foster carers who provide help for looked-after children still dealing with and responding to post-pandemic challenges.
The payment aims to demonstrate that the council values its foster carers.
The council hopes that, wherever possible, children and young people who need to be looked after should live in a family home, supported by well-trained carers.
Ideally, a child or young person can be safely cared for within their wider family group or by a close family friend but, when that is not possible, a foster home will provide a safe and nurturing family environment.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, cabinet member for children and families, said: “It is important that we acknowledge our foster carers and the incredible job they do in looking after and caring for some of Nottinghamshire’s most vulnerable children and young people. I cannot stress highly enough the role that foster carers play in helping to shape a child or young person’s life by providing a safe and stable home for them when they need it.
“That’s why I’m pleased to offer this payment as a gesture to say thank you for continuing to offer time, care, love and support to Nottinghamshire’s vulnerable young people.
“Covid and the post-pandemic period have not been easy and I hope that this payment will go a small way to demonstrating our gratitude.”
Zoe, a foster carer from Kirkby in Ashfield, who has fostered children for more than eight years, welcomed the gesture.
“The news of this £500 payment to all NCC foster carers is really welcome. It is great that our hard work caring for traumatised children is recognised, not just by this payment but by the other support and encouragement foster carers receive from their social workers and the county council. I am sure other foster carers will also appreciate this bonus payment as it is another way to help us feel valued.”
The total cost for the payment to all current 196 foster carers will be £98,000 and will be met from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund Grant. The grant can be used by councils towards continued support to residents, in particular vulnerable adults and children significantly affected by Covid-19.
The council has written to all foster carers to thank them for being a Nottinghamshire County Council foster carer and to tell them about the payments.
The county council continues to need more foster carers to look after local children.
Anyone who feels inspired to enquire about fostering can find out more at nottinghamshire.gov. uk/fostering. They can also join fostering information events taking place online or in person at Mansfield on March 12 and Retford on March 26, or call 0115 804 4440 to chat to a member of the fostering team.