Foster carers PROTEST in Glasgow over child payment allowance

Dozens attended the rally outside the city chambers in George Square and were represented by the Foster Care Workers Union (a branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain). 

Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers (Image: Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers)

Jacqueline McShane, a foster carer who gave a speech at the event, said: “Some of us have received a very small increase for children under the age of 10, but absolutely nothing for over ten years. 

“These kids didn’t choose to come into foster care, but whilst they’re in it, we should be giving them a decent standard of life so they can have a powerful impact on society when they grow up, not so they can live in poverty whilst they’re there.”

Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers (Image: Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers)

Glasgow City Council revealed that discussions are ongoing between the Scottish Government and COSLA around a national decision on fostering fees and allowances.

The local authority added that Glasgow’s Integration Joint Board agreed in March to an increase to the kinship and foster carer allowances for 40% of cases in the city where they are currently paid below the proposed national allowance level.

A spokesperson said: “This agreement was honoured and as a result payment to kinship and foster carers with children aged between 0-10 years has been made. Kinship and foster carers with children aged 0-4 years have had payments increase from £137.18 to £146 per week, and kinship and foster carers with children aged 5-10 years have had payments increase from £156.30 per week to £170 per week. 

 “This was released for payment on May 17 for foster carers and 17th June 2022 for kinship carers and was backdated to March 28.

 “The remaining 60% of kinship and foster carers continue to be paid above the proposed national allowance level and have had no changes to their monies.”

But those protesting insisted it was not enough.

Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers (Image: Foster Care Workers Union and foster carers)

One woman, who has been a foster carer in Shawlands for 13 years, said: “We used to be able to take kids on holiday, let them do the extras they’re interested in, but there’s just no money for that anymore. It breaks my heart, and it’s the fact that my foster child deserves more, that makes me angry.

“The first thing in foster care is that you’re supposed to provide a warm, comfortable, loving home and I can do the comfortable and the loving, but I can’t do the warm this year and that’s rubbish.”

Naomi Hodgins (Image: Naomi Hodgins)

Naomi Hodges, branch organiser for The Foster Care Workers branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, said: “I think foster carers really thought enough is enough, and it’s time that they came together and change things.” 

Kenneth Millard (Image: Kenneth Millard)

Kenneth Millard, foster carer and chair of the IWGB Foster Care Workers Branch, added: “What we’re asking for, isn’t money for ourselves, it’s for a decent allowance that will keep our heads above the water for the children.”