CHESHIRE East Council has approved plans to grant foster carers free council tax to encourage more to step forward and provide a home for vulnerable children.


The recruitment campaign in conjunction with neighbouring local authorities means that twenty more foster parents were recruited last year.


Councillor Rachel Bailey, cabinet member in charge of children and families, said: "This is a scheme designed to encourage more foster parents to come forward and help them with the financial burden of looking after a dependent.


"Exempting foster carers from council tax liability, we believe, will incentivise those families who want to foster but are worried about the costs associated with looking after a young person.


"We know that issues around finance are a major cause in family breakdowns and, having found a good foster home for the child, we want to support that family in the best way we can.


"The best outcome for a child is that they are placed in a loving and caring environment and then this leads to a more permanent arrangement.


"We believe that by taking away some of the worry about the cost of looking after a child this could ultimately deliver a better outcome for our children.


The Council has granted the exemption using its powers under section 13 A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.


Foster carers will be exempt during the duration of their role as foster carers and will receive a reimbursement on a monthly basis equivalent to the amount of council tax liable.


Clr Michael Jones, council leader, added: "This is an invest to save initiative and ensures that everyone wins.


“At Cheshire East Council we are committed to ensuring that our young people come first."


Current foster carers will also receive the exemption which will be applied to their next bill and Cheshire East Council will be writing to foster parents in the near future to fully set out the changes.