Call for rise in Falkirk foster allowances

A group of foster carers in Falkirk are calling on the council to provide "emergency" support.

Over 60 carers have signed a petition, demanding a rise in allowances.

It comes as figures show more than half of carers in Scotland have cut back on food and energy, to support fostered children.

The IWGB say fees have been cut in real terms by 15% since 2019.

Gillian McKirdy, a foster carer in Falkirk, says: “The council asks us to provide opportunities and experiences for the children in our care, but in reality the money they pay us barely feeds and clothes them. After a year and half of fostering, my savings have vanished, and I worry every day about how I can continue to provide all that our little one deserves. We need the council to face up to the full financial burden they are imposing on their carers, and to commit to eliminating that burden so that carers can get back to doing what we do best - loving, nurturing and providing for our community’s most vulnerable children.” 

Kenny Millard, chair of the IWGB Foster Care Workers Branch, says:  “It is unacceptable and unsustainable that dedicated professionals providing 24/7 care for the community’s most vulnerable young people are being forced to subsidise the public service they provide. Investing in foster care is an investment in the future of our communities, and the time to make that investment - and sit down to hear carers’ concerns - is now.”

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “We highly value our foster carers and kinship carers and recognise the impact the cost of living crisis is having on them whilst they care for Falkirk’s children in their own homes.

“Allowances are currently under review and we hope to be in a position to share the outcome of this with our carers soon.”