This Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from 13 May until 26 May, Brent Council is raising awareness of its new and improved fostering offer.
Brent foster carers provide caring, loving homes to children in the short, or long-term care of the local authority.
Brent’s fostering allowances have been increased by up to 26% this year as part of a 2-year plan to ensure allowances are competitive.
Brent foster carers can now receive up to £444.59 a week, depending on the child’s age and the carer’s experience.
The uplift also comes with a new benefits scheme which includes everything from local discounts to specialised support.
Foster carers can now access the following benefits:
- dedicated one-to-one support from an experienced social worker
- 24/7 telephone support
- membership to the Fostering Network which provides foster carers with market-leading legal protection insurance covering the whole fostering household, independent support, and connection to a UK network of foster carers
- mockingbird Family program – Brent is implementing the Mockingbird model which aims to improve placement stability for children who are looked after, prioritise sibling connections, support permanence and improve the support provided to foster carers
- annual social and celebration events for foster carers, including a summer seaside trip and end of year celebration ball
- peer support group
- a free laptop or tablet to ensure that foster carers can access virtual meetings, attend virtual training and keep up to date with emails and logs
- a Blue Light Card with more than 15,000 discounts from national and local retailers
- access to free therapeutic support and training to support foster carers along their foster caring journey
- £1,000 referral reward for foster carers who refer a friend or family member and they become a Brent foster carer.
