First blood to couple in foster rate battle

A Huddersfield couple who care for a relative’s children have won
the first round in their battle for a judicial review into
fostering rates paid by Kirklees Council.

At the High Court last week, the carers, who cannot be named for
legal reasons, won leave to apply for judicial review.

Like many local authorities, Kirklees pay foster parents who are
friends or relatives of children in their care a lower allowance
than other foster parents.

The couple want the council to introduce a parity policy and are
seeking thousands of pounds in lost allowances (news, page 8, 29
August).

Ms Justice McCombe granted a stay of 42 days for the council to
negotiate a financial settlement with the children’s lawyers.