Number of foster carers in Jersey halves since start of pandemic

Wednesday 17 August 2022

The number of foster carers has fallen by almost half in Jersey in the last two years, prompting the Government to declare a ‘crisis’ and launch a recruitment campaign.

In 2020, there were 37 foster carers or families in Jersey providing a range of support, from short-term emergency cover to full-time care of children with complex needs.

But two years later, that number has fallen to 21 – prompting the Government to act to find more islanders willing to foster, which is a paid role.

Giving more details on yesterday’s campaign launch, Children and Education Minister Inna Gardiner said that the crisis was a supply issue rather than due to increased demand.

“The number of children in need of foster care hasn’t changed but the number of carers has dropped due to the impact of lockdown and the fact that covid reduced the opportunity for the service to engage with the public and promote the many advantages of fostering,” she said.

“The shortage has also been down to a successful scheme which allowed young people turning 18 to continue to live with their foster families on a long-term basis and seven islanders have done so. That’s great but we obviously lose the family as foster carers.

Pictured: Children and Education Minister Inna Gardiner.

“Some foster families have also retired after many years of tremendous service.

“Lastly, I think there also been a lack of knowledge about the financial support available.”

Deputy Gardiner was keen to stress that children would never go without care.

“We have enough space for children in foster care and residential homes; no one will ever be without a placement; for example, we currently have four foster carers for emergency cases who are free,” she said.

“But what we don’t have is much flexibility. The more carers mean that there are more options to get better matches. At the moment, there may be several children in residential homes who would be better off in a foster family.

“No child is being denied care; this is all about trying to provide a better service with more flexibility, because there are many types of care that are needed.”

Foster carers are paid in Jersey, with the amount dependent on the level of care given.

The pay ranges from just under £30 for providing a day-time respite break to more than £350 a week for caring for a child aged over 16. 

Foster carers looking after children who need intensive, specialist and close-proximity care receive a salary of £40,000 a year.

Deputy Gardiner said: “The money very much depends on the level of care that people provide, as there are different pay grades, and while the basic rates don’t look much, all foster carers are eligible to receive allowances, such as for birthdays, Christmas, holidays, furniture and equipment, and activities.

“Our allowances are higher than those offered in London, to take account of our cost of living.”

The Fostering and Adoption Service specifically want would-be carers to provide:

• emergency care – when children need to be fostered in an emergency, for up to two weeks;
• respite care – for specific periods such as weekends or to offer foster carers a rest;
• specialist short break - supporting children and families with complex needs, usually for three hours in the community, or overnight in their own homes;
• short-term foster care - providing care for several weeks up to two years;
• long-term foster care – providing a permanent home for a child;
• intensive foster care – providing full-time care for a child with high-level needs, with a specialist fee.