Croydon Council has made major changes to the fees and benefits for foster carers, to become one of the most competitive and supportive local authorities in South England.
Standard payments have increased from £210 to £325 per week per child, with enhanced payments for experienced foster carers reaching £450 per week per child. These increases have come into effect to help with the rise in the cost of living.
Other new benefits for foster carers include Council Tax reimbursements and retention payments.
The changes are aimed at recruiting and retaining more foster carers, as well as improving the quality, stability, and experience for children in care and building stable loving homes.
Croydon is working to address a critical shortage of foster carers. The borough has 146 fostering households and needs an additional 20 every year to accommodate children going into care.
Pay rates were last reviewed in 2022, but since then the UK has experienced inflation pressures driven by housing, energy and food costs. These costs disproportionately impact foster carers, who need to provide a safe warm home and nutritious food for looked after children.
The fee increases will vary across three categories: skilled, advanced, and specialist carers – a new category that includes placements for children with complex needs, paying £600 per week per child.
From April, foster carers will also be reimbursed for Council Tax based on the duration they have cared for a child. After fostering for Croydon Council for three years, foster carers will also receive £1,500 per year, paid on the anniversary of their approval.
In one of London’s most diverse boroughs, the Council is looking for people from all walks of life to care for Croydon’s vulnerable children and young people. There is no single type of person who would make a ‘perfect’ foster carer and enquiries are welcomed from anyone who has the capacity to look after children.
Christine Claire is a foster carer for Croydon Council. She said: “I think the changes are absolutely fantastic. It will be beneficial because of the increased cost of living and will help us to support our young people.”
Christine mostly cares for teenagers and said it is very rewarding. “I support them to reach their full potential, especially teenagers who are often misunderstood. I see them growing in confidence and self-esteem and building their self-worth for when they go out into the world. It is wonderful to be able to support them.”
The changes support Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to make sure that all children and young people in the borough have the opportunity to thrive.
“Foster carers do an amazing job in our borough and it is right that their pay is competitive and meets the rising cost of living.
“Becoming a foster carer can be a really rewarding experience, with the opportunity to really transform the lives of our vulnerable young people. I hope that these changes will help Croydon to retain our foster carers and attract more – improving the experience for children in care.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Find out more about fostering in Croydon on the Council website.
