Kinship payment rise welcomed

And Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie insisted that this region should take credit for the Scottish Government making this money available.
Speaking at the council’s social work committee on Tuesday, Councillor Scobie said: “I can think back to the heady days when we were lobbying the Scottish Government, along with the kinship carers.
“So, it’s pleasing to see kinship carers alongside foster carers, and a parity there.
“I think this council led the way in terms of getting that payment for kinship carers.”
Foster and kinship carers across Dumfries and Galloway will receive an uplift of anywhere between £11 and £47 per week, depending on the age of the child – and payments will be backdated to April this year.
This comes after the Scottish Government fulfilled its commitment to setting a standard national allowance for foster and kinship carers across the country, to support the care of children and young people.
The introduction of the Scottish Recommended Allowance means every eligible foster and kinship carer will receive this standard weekly rate, no matter where they live in the country.
The Scottish Government is splitting £16m between councils to fund the payments, with this region expected to receive around £630,000.
However, this will leave a shortfall of around £150,000, which Dumfries and Galloway Council will have to find from its own budget.