Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 10 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that foster carers across Scotland are paid the real Living Wage, and that their wage is adjusted in line with inflation.
Foster carers are classed as self-employed and, therefore, receive payments in the form of foster carer fees and allowances. Responsibility for paying and setting levels of both foster carer fees and foster care allowances - along with consideration of any adjustment in line with inflation - lies with the relevant local authority.
The Scottish Government is working with COSLA to find a way forward on the introduction of the Scottish Recommended Allowance for both foster and kinship carers across Scotland.