Supporting carers

The SST reports:

Extended members who care for children who are not their own will get an extra $35 million in benefits, the Government will announce today.

More than 12,400 kids in New Zealand are cared for by relatives, often grandparents, when their parents are either incapable or unwilling to raise them, often due to drug use, violence, neglect and mental health issues.

Around 8500 foster parents already receive an unsupported child benefit, with the Government paying out about $111.5m between July 2011 and July 2012. But many say the money is not enough.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said today’s funding package would include a one-off establishment grant of $350 when a carer takes a child into their home. It would also include a “start-of-year payment” that will range between $400 for kids under five and $550 for children over 14 to relieve caregivers having to buy school uniforms and pay fees.

The ministry will also set up a discretionary extraordinary care fund of up to $2000 a year for children with significant difficulties, or who show promise. This fund will become available in July 2014.

I have huge respect for those people who care for children who are no theirs.