Councillors called on to help recruit foster carers

Devon County Councillors have been urged to use their influence in their local communities and to help recruit more foster carers in Devon.

The call, from Council leader Julian Brazil, was made recently at the Full Council meeting.

At the meeting Devon County Council’s commitment in supporting foster carers and recognising the vital role that they play was underlined.

Councillors of all political stripes acknowledged the principle of corporate parenting, that the responsibility for children in care extended beyond social services to the whole council and wider community.

Members highlighted that foster carers are at the heart of this commitment, offering safe and loving homes that help children thrive despite challenging circumstances.

They discussed the importance of fostering in Devon, noting that demand for placements continues to grow and that recruiting and retaining foster carers remains a significant challenge.

Like many areas across the country, Devon is experiencing a decline in fostering households. Since 2020, the number of approved fostering households has fallen by a third.

The council has committed £2m and is introducing a series of measures including:

• Improved training and development.
• Improved financial support with allowances aligned with the Department for Education’s National Minimum Allowance (NMA), with protections in place to ensure carers do not receive less than current rates.
• Access to specialist advice and wellbeing services.
• The appointment of a fostering member champion.
• Support, including an emergency rota service, short breaks for children with disabilities, and supported lodgings schemes. emergency rota fees and enhanced payments will be available for carers supporting children with higher needs.
• An annual council tax relief scheme.