East Riding Council has urged residents to inform the council of any private fostering arrangements in an annual effort to raise awareness of the importance of notifying the authority.
The council has reminded its residents that it is in fact a legal requirement for to inform the authority if a person is looking after a child or young person who is under the age of 16, (or under 18 years if the young person has a disability) for more than 28 days and they aren’t a close relative of the child, such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or step-parent by marriage.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education has urged people to get in touch with the council before the arrangement begins, or as soon as it starts.
Cllr Aitken explains: “It means we can offer support to both the child and the carers. We can provide advice about issues including education and benefit entitlement, which could help increase stability for the child and the family.”
Councils pay foster parents an allowance to cover the cost of caring for the child/children to ensure people don’t end up out of pocket for doing a good deed.
Other aids foster parents are entitled to include a tax relief for every week you foster a child and being able to earn £18,140 from fostering before having to pay tax.
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Let the council know if you are planning to, or currently are, looking after a child and this will be for more than 28 days on 01482 395500, or visit the link here.
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