Cambridgeshire Council is considering improving the pay and benefits of its foster carers after its social services department went massively over budget.
A shortage of in-house carers has forced the council to turn to independent foster agencies, which cost four times as much.
Spending on independent carers was 2.3m last year - 1.4m over budget.
The council has allocated an extra 1.7m for next year but a greater than expected increase in the number of children in care could push the department over budget again. Last week, a cross-party panel on foster care proposed an extra 10,000 be spent on advertising and promotion.
The ruling Conservatives have proposed a payment scheme of 300 a week, an annual loyalty bonus of 100, and 500 on completion of an NVQ Level 3 qualification in caring for children.
