Bath and North East Somerset Council has approved an innovative scheme to support foster parents by funding home extensions, enabling them to accommodate more children. At a recent cabinet meeting, council members agreed to allocate half a million pounds to help foster carers make necessary alterations to their properties. This investment is expected to pay for itself within just six weeks by reducing reliance on costly residential care.
Mark Elliott, the cabinet member for resources, highlighted the need for more foster placements: “There are children in residential care who could be living with foster families, but a lack of space limits this option. Many foster carers are willing to take in more children but cannot due to their current home setup.” The scheme aims to change that by providing grants of up to £50,000 for home improvements such as additional bedrooms or other modifications required to care for an extra child.
To ensure responsible use of public funds, the council has set strict eligibility criteria. Only approved in-house foster carers who own their properties can apply. They must obtain quotes from three council-approved contractors, and the council will secure a legal charge on the property for five years. If a carer stops fostering within that period, the grant repayment will taper accordingly.
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The initiative not only helps increase foster capacity but also supports keeping siblings together and encourages experienced carers to continue their vital work. A recent survey showed strong support, with 90% of foster carers backing the plan and over half indicating it would enable them to foster for an additional ten years.
From a financial perspective, the scheme offers significant savings. Foster placements cost the council approximately £510 per week, compared to £8,000 per week for residential care. Addressing social care expenses is a growing challenge for the council, which is planning a 4.99% increase in council tax for 2026/27 to help cover rising costs in adult and children’s social services.
Mr. Elliott emphasized the importance of transparency regarding council tax use: “People often ask, ‘where does my council tax go?’ The primary answer is supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.”