Half of the foster carers considering quitting due to cost of living crisis finds survey
A large majority of carers have to cut back on essentials, as rising prices risk deepening fostering shortages.
by Anastasia Koutsounia on August 2, 2022, A community Care article
Over half (54%) of foster carers are considering resigning because of the cost of living crisis, a survey of over 1,000 has found.
Information and advice service FosterWiki revealed that, of 1036 respondents to its survey, most (89%) had resorted to cutting back on essentials including food, heating, fuel and everyday activities with children.
A majority (88%) had also received no financial aid from local authorities or independent fostering agencies (IFAs) to battle the rising costs, with 2.5% turning to food banks for help.
With fuel prices soaring, just 6% said they had their mileage costs covered, while 71% rates did not cover their costs and almost a quarter (23%) got no mileage allowance at all.
The findings come amid significant challenges in recruiting and retaining foster carers, with a 2021 analysis by think-tank the Social Market Foundation predicting a shortage of 25,000 carers in England by 2026.
The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care also raised similar concerns in its final report in May, recommending a drive to recruit 9,000 foster carers in England over the next three years.
