Orkney Islands Council has approved a new package of financial support to encourage more people to step forward as foster carers.
The enhanced funding will see the standard weekly fee rise from £100 per household to £400 per child or young person.
Foster carers will also receive the national fostering allowance, which varies depending on the child’s age, from £168.31 per week for a baby to £269.41 for a teenager.
These measures replace an outdated banding system and are part of a wider drive to recruit more local foster carers and reduce the need for expensive placements outside Orkney, which cost the Council £1.36 million last year.
Darren Morrow, the Council’s Head of Children, Families and Justice Services, explained that a new management team has been working to implement improvements in line with Care Inspectorate recommendations.
He said recruitment and retention of foster carers is a top priority, and the review of allowances and fees aims to create fairness among carers and make fostering a more attractive option.
Orkney has relied heavily on external placements, often through independent fostering agencies or residential care, which is costly and takes children away from their community.
Had the 13 children placed outside Orkney last year been able to stay in the county, the Council could have saved nearly £1 million.
While financial incentives should not be the main motivation for fostering, Mr Morrow stressed that carers take on a professional role and should be recognised and supported accordingly.
Foster carers provide a nurturing environment for children who may later return home or require long-term care until adulthood.
They can choose to offer emergency, short-term, or long-term placements, with fees designed to reflect the commitment and skill involved.
Foster carers undergo training to help children and young people heal from trauma and adverse experiences, providing stable and informed care.
Like many areas across Scotland, Orkney has seen a decline in foster carers, with at least ten new households needed to meet future demand.
The revised fee structure is designed to attract more foster carers and reduce reliance on external providers, except where specialist care is necessary.
The Council is also highlighting the support and training available to new foster carers, ensuring they feel confident in their role.
Short break carers, who provide respite for foster families, will now receive a pro-rata fee in addition to their usual allowance.
Mr Morrow encouraged anyone interested in fostering to get in touch, describing it as a rewarding experience that can make a real difference in a child’s life.
Rhoda Walker, from Kirkwall, was a working mum when she and her husband Mervyn decided to become foster carers, looking after 13 children over three years.
She said anyone who can provide a loving and safe home can be a foster carer, and the experience is life-changing.
Rhoda said seeing a child settle in and smile is one of the most rewarding aspects of fostering, and she urged anyone considering it to find out more.
To learn more about fostering in Orkney click HERE or call 01856 873535 to speak with the social work team.
