Foster carers in Wigan are set to receive higher payments and allowances.
Wigan council has agreed to increase payments for foster carers in the borough as it competes with the rates offered by neighbouring councils.
Special allowances for birthdays, holidays and other family activities will also be increased in a bid retain existing foster carers and attract new ones too.
READ MORE: Quarter of Wigan's children in care moved outside borough – some more than 20 miles away
It comes as the number of children in Wigan who are looked after by the local authority has increased from 542 on April 1, 2020 to 651 on June 14, 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of fostering households in the borough has fallen by 11 since March 2019 with four foster carers having resigned since March 2021.
The number of fostering households registered in Wigan now stands at 183.
Labour councillor Jenny Bullen, who is the portfolio holder for children and families, recommended the pay uplift to the cabinet on Thursday (July 8).
She said: "Our ambition has always been to provide family situations for these children as we believe this is the best way for them to thrive and achieve and be set up for fulfilled lives in adulthood.
"Pressures of Covid have meant a significant increase in numbers coming into care and also in the complexity of their presenting needs."
Foster carer payments will be increased to meet the rates of neighbouring authorities in what Coun Bullen described as a 'very competitive market'.
She said being a foster carer can be a 'very challenging role at times'.
For that reason, alongside this additional financial support, Wigan council will also be looking to improve its support for foster carers in other ways, she said.
She added: "This will probably have a greater impact in retaining our current foster carers and attracting new ones to come and work in our borough."
The changes follow feedback from the Foster Carer Forum in February 2021.
The main concern raised by the forum was the lower payments and allowances they believed they receive compared to other councils.
The forum has also raised concerns regarding the 'freeze' of the allowance and the decision-making process for the annual review of fostering payments.
In recognition of this, Wigan council paid a goodwill payment of £1,000 to all eligible carers in May, according to a council report published this month.
The report said the financial implications of the recommended uplift in pay would require between £700,000 and £1m more from the council's budget.
The proposal to increase payments would be backdated from April 1, 2021.
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