FOSTER carers are set to win a massive hike in their allowances from City of York Council.

Officers are recommending a £24 a week increase in an effort to recruit and retain carers in the face of competition from neighbouring local authorities.

The rise equates to more than 30 per cent for people looking after children aged up to four years, whose current basic weekly allowance would go up to £87.49 from £63.49.

At the other end of the scale, people fostering youngsters aged 16 to 17, who currently receive £127.05 a week, would see a smaller percentage rise to £151.05. People fostering children aged five to ten would see an increase from £78.89 to £102.89, while people with youngsters aged from 11 to 15 would get £122.07, instead of £98.07.

The rises, proposed to Thursday's meeting of the executive member for social services and health and advisory panel, follow a review of payments launched last year.

A report by Howard Lovelady said the review included consultation with foster carers, and also considered changes in local and national circumstances and the "regional and national market" for carers.

"Comparisons with other local authorities have also been taken," he said.

He said York had 71 approved foster carers last month, but interest in fostering had to compete in the city with other activities which could also make use of spare capacity in family homes, such as lodgers, university students, foreign language students and child minding.

There had been an increase in the number of children being looked after and, despite extensive marketing, recruitment of new carers was only sufficient to replace existing ones giving up their role.

He said that since 2001, the shortfall had been taken up by using expensive placements with carers approved by independent fostering agencies.

"Placements with these agencies are often some geographical distance from York, with the ensuing disruption to schooling, family and professional contacts."

He said the proposed increase was affordable, and would provide a basis for greater recruitment of local foster carers.

Updated: 11:00 Friday, May 06, 2005