Additional funding for foster carers | Newry Times | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Additional funding for foster carers | Newry Times

The Health Minister has announced further funding of £754,800 for NI foster carers.

 

Additional funding for foster carers | Newry Times  -Coronavirus Covid19 Newry news

 

This brings the total support provided to them to £1.39million since the start of the pandemic.

 

 

Foster carers provide care for children looked after by social services teams when they are unable to live with their parent/s.

There are currently around 2,600 children and young people in foster or kinship care in Northern Ireland.

Announcing the funding Health Minister Robin Swann said, “Foster Carers do incredible work providing 24/7 care for children and young people.

“The pandemic has meant that foster carers have faced many challenges, including coping with the increased levels of anxiety and pressure, keeping children occupied, managing homeschooling and, in some cases, supporting children and young people with their behaviour.”

 

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Minister Swann continued, “Unfortunately many have experienced financial pressures while at the same time worrying about the negative impact the pandemic has had on the emotional wellbeing of the children and young people in their care.

“In spite of these challenges, the majority of foster carers have continued to provide settled and stable home environments for children and young people.

“I hope this additional support will help convey my sincere thanks to foster carers for the self-less role they play,” he added.

 

 

This funding follows support provided to carers in June 2020.

It equates to an extra 20% of the weekly food and household elements of the allowance foster carers received for children in their care for a limited period.

Welcoming the announcement, Kathleen Toner, Director at the Fostering Network said, “We are delighted the Minister has agreed to provide this additional uplift in allowances to foster and kinship foster carers.

“This support, which addresses the additional financial pressures experienced by fostering families  as a result of the pandemic, is greatly welcomed, as is the Minister’s recognition of the vital role foster carers have in our communities, providing safety, stability and emotional continuity for vulnerable children at this very challenging time.”

 

 

 

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE.

 

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Posted by on Mar 1 2021. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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