The Institute for Public Policy Research has suggested that local authorities should invest £50 a year in the child trust funds for children in care.
Research by the IPPR has shown that it may cost each council around £20,000 a year. An institute researcher, Keith Thomson, has said that extra payments could make a big difference to these children when they left care. 'Extra contributions from a local authority would be a statement of care at a price that would not trouble the taxpayers'.
Our view
This is a very difficult call. Children in care need all the help and assistance they can get.
However, we are also aware of much financial waste by Social Services where they spend too much money on children when perhaps love and attention may be better. Social Services and Local Authorities are in a difficult position. Investing £50 a year into a savings plan will achieve nothing. Giving children in care "money training" or indeed the ability to earn money would be better.
Before any person takes offence and thinks we know nothing, one of the Directors at can speak from family experience of foster care and much more. So, perhaps we have a better insight than most.