Essex offers £2,000 to foster parents in 2024 and 2025 amid a council facing a chronic shortage of homes for children in care.
Foster carer payments will increase, with the rise averaging about 16 percent to match the current inflation rate. New and existing carers get bonuses; those fostering in 2024 and new carers in 2025 both get £2,000. Pay depends on the child’s age and needs.
For 11-15 year olds, carers get £537 each week, which is almost £28,000 a year. For kids with complex needs, it’s £1,317 a week.
John Spence highlighted the vital role of carers and hopes more people will foster children. He asked people to learn more about fostering, as it can give a child a stable future.
Nicole Wood is the new Chief Executive, replacing Gavin Jones after his retirement.
Essex also announced the “Year of Opportunity”, which helps people get new skills. It follows successful reading and math programs.
Essex had 410 foster homes in 2023/24, down from 510 in 2019/2020. They approved 35 new homes last year, compared to 105 in 2019/2020. Foster care costs less than residential care.
The council won’t meet placement targets. They aim for 74% foster placements by 2028, with 95% should be in-house foster care. Essex has 800 children in foster care, and 688 get internal support at a cost of £26,000 yearly. Independent agencies cost double.
Nearly 100 children are in residential care, costing £300,000 per child each year. The top 15 placements cost almost £10 million.
Chris Whitbread hopes to ease cost pressures. He stated foster care offers the best support, but Children’s services have a £20 million overspend. Placement charges are complex and will likely continue.