News

Foster carers in Stockport are considering moving to private agencies after the local authority put an end to the high payments it had been making, pending a Best Value review of child care.

Last October, the council increased payments by more than £100 a week in a bid to discourage foster parents from signing up with private agencies.

But the Department of Health has asked the council to bring payments back into line with other local authorities.

"The new weekly payment for fostering a child will range from £183 to £297 [a week per child] and will come into effect at the beginning of September.

"Stockport remains one of the top payers in the region," a spokesperson said.

But carer Debbie Barnett, a member of the Stockport foster parents' and adopters' support group, commented: "Some people are very annoyed that the interim payment has been taken away and are talking about signing up with private agencies."