Support for carers in Scotland.

Holmes, David

The Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have, for the first time, joined forces to produce a new strategy for supporting foster and kinship carers in Scotland. This proposed support includes:

* a minimum national allowance of between [pounds sterling] 119 and 198 [pounds sterling] per week to be paid to all carers (as recommended by Fostering Network);

* approved kinship carers of looked after children to be paid allowances on a par with foster carers;

* improved assessment and approval processes as well as better training and support for foster and kinship carers;

* a specialist information service for all kinship carers giving advice on benefits and maximising financial support;

* a national protocol for dealing with complaints and allegations against foster and kinship carers.

The full text of the strategy, Getting it Right for Every Child in Kinship and Foster Care (published in December 2007), can be downloaded from the Scottish Government website: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/31131939/0