Calls for foster carers to receive more support
Foster carers should receive more support from the government to help them feel recognised, a woman who grew up in care said.
Jojo Smith, from Sutton Coldfield, lived with a foster family until the age of 18. She said incentives like a lowered council tax and partnerships with local gyms should be introduced to motivate and inspire carers. All foster parents get an allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child, the government said. The number of foster carers has declined in recent years across England and the West Midlands, according to statistics from Ofsted., external Figures have shown that 330 households deregistered in the West Midlands last year, compared to 200 households that signed up. Ms Smith has worked with the not-for-profit fostering agency Worcestershire Children First and said carers needed more support to encourage people to sign up to the system.