However, the campaign may struggle to appeal to potential foster carers after a report this week from the network revealed that half of carers work for free, while a fifth earn less than 100 a week (News, p8). The same is true for allowances, which are paid separately from wages, as 63 per cent of the 1,100 carers surveyed said their allowances didn't cover their costs.
This situation is even more perplexing where you consider what is expected of foster carers. Not only do they care for some of society's most vulnerable and troubled children, but government guidance on the education of looked-after children emphasises that encouragement, praise and support from carers plays a huge part in children's achievement. Parents wouldn't allow their offspring to be treated by an unpaid doctor or be schooled by unpaid teachers. Why should carers be treated differently?
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