MORE than £300,000 could be spent next year to pay fees in a bid to recruit more foster carers in Bolton.

Social services chiefs say it is no longer possible to depend on a band of big-hearted volunteers to provide the best possible care for youngsters.

Bolton social services chairman Cllr Ken Peters said: "A recent report from the Association of Directors of Social Services shows that two-thirds of local authorities are struggling to find enough foster carers.

"We are not at crisis point yet in Bolton but it is becoming more and more difficult. Currently we lose carers at the rate of 10 per cent each year. "Independent and private fostering agencies are springing up. Investing in this service now will protect it in the future and ensure that children in the borough are well looked after."

Proposals to pay foster carers fees based on their level of experience and the number of children in their care will be discussed at a social services committee on Wednesday.

Most would get £50 per week for one child; £90 for two and £130 for three children, exclusive of maintenance payments. The highest fee would be £150 for one child and £390 for three. The aim of the new policy is to establish and build a professional foster care service.

Cllr Peters said: "This will be a big step forward. It will make the service more professional and, hopefully, will attract the carers we desperately need so we have a greater range of foster carers with skills to meet the needs of individual children."

Under the new scheme carers will have to attend support groups and training courses. The policy will not apply to remand foster carers, relatives and friends approved as foster carers and the Families Together scheme which is targeted at respite care for children with disabilities.

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