FOSTER WEEK STARTS ON MONDAY 15TH MAY 2011

[Alison J Stevens]

http://www.familylaw.co.uk/articles/FosterCare12052011?utm_source=h...

Fostering is highlighted for the whole of the week, starting 15th May 2011.

There will be glorious pictures of blue eyed yellow haired two year olds splashed all over bill boards.

Heaven knows why the Local Authorities cannot use the kincare clause a mandatory obligation for Social Services to place children with an immediate family member like Grandparents, before removing children into care and placing them with foster carers.

The former would be a cheaper option,and less traumatic for the child, by keeping them within the family unit.

Local Authorities cost the taxpayer millions of pounds, private fostering agencies pay their carers up to £800 per child, a nice little earner, for carers that care for several children.

Social Services would rather use the fostering option, but i must say with three of my recent cases, the children have been placed with family members, so some LAs are learning.

There is a National shortage of foster carers, due to the higher than normal increase in care proceedings post baby Peter.

With the financial restraints put on Local Authorities by the cutbacks, it will be interesting to see the outcome over the next few months.