FtSE Member News: The Foster Care Co-operative - Crackdown on ‘golden hellos’ for carer transfers

The government has been urged to crack down on ‘golden hellos’ - offered as an incentive for foster carers to transfer from local authorities to commercial profit-making fostering agencies.

Dave Hill, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), said that carers had been offered up to £3000 to transfer – and reported that in some instances the carers were sold back to local authorities for a much higher fee.

Ian Brazier, FCC’s Executive Director, said: “We fully support Mr Hill in his criticism of incentive payments for carer transfers – which artificially raises the cost of care. 

“As with many not-for-profit fostering providers, we are grateful for the support of dedicated and generous foster carers – unique people who define themselves by the care and love they provide to vulnerable children.  We all consider this approach to such an important task to be demeaning and distasteful.”

FCC pride themselves on a fully transparent not-for-profit approach to foster care, resulting in increased support and training for their foster carers.

Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk

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