#FosteringFairness

Representing our foster carer members has been a long running campaign over the last few years. GMB have consistently fought for their rights, better terms and conditions, recognition and support for their vital work looking after some of the most vulnerable children in society.

They do an incredible job and in the very least they deserve more than being out of pocket. But this is exactly what the Government is doing when they place greater financial burden on foster parents by the exclusion of foster children in their 30 hours free child care.

This means that children in the same household may be entitled to free childcare, whilst a foster child in the same family would be excluded from this. It is a difference that is not only greatly unfair but it is also detrimental to the wellbeing and stability of the child/children being fostered.

GMB has been leading the campaign #FosteringFairness which calls on the government to include foster children within the 30 hours free childcare.

We’ve had members and officers meet with Labour frontbench politicians. This has led to joint work both inside Parliament but also in the media.

Watch: Rachel Harrison, GMB's lead officer on Foster Care, gave evidence to the Education Committee session on Fostering back in March

The combined pressure from our members, our officers and MPs, will hopefully make Government see sense and bring about the fairness that both foster carers and foster children richly deserve.

Please watch and share our campaign video on Facebook and Twitter

#POLITICAL #publicsector