William Eichler 08 June 2021

BCP Council agrees to check past payments to foster carers

BCP Council agrees to check past payments to foster carers image

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has agreed to check whether it has paid friends and family foster carers properly over the past five years following an investigation.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has asked the council to consider backdating fostering allowances to carers after it received a complaint from the relatives of two vulnerable children who believed they had not been supported properly.

The relatives had taken in the children after the siblings’ parents were unable to look after them. The children were deemed at risk, and were on Child Protection Plans, due to their parents’ problems, and their unsafe living environment.

At the time, the council considered it was a private arrangement between the children's parents and the relatives. This meant the family carers were not provided with appropriate assistance from the council, and the children missed out on the support to which they were entitled as ‘looked after children’.

The relatives complained to the council and the council’s own investigation found it was at fault. It offered them a significant sum as a token payment for the financial impact of caring for the children, and for the cost of the therapy the children needed. However, it still did not accept it had been responsible for placing the children in their relatives’ care.

The Ombudsman found the council had been actively involved in the case, including involving the Police, and so the relatives should have been entitled to the council’s support.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, commented: ‘Children cared for by friends and family foster carers are often some of the most vulnerable in society: so it is vital that those looking after them receive the full support to which they are entitled.

‘In this case it is quite clear that had the relatives not taken the children under their wings, they would have needed state care, so the council should have treated their relatives as friends and family foster carers.

‘It is to the council’s credit that it has readily accepted my recommendations, and I hope the changes it will now make will ensure relatives’ situations are made clear when they take on the role of foster parents in future.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner