IT glitch leaves Northamptonshire foster carers with late pay

All the authority’s approved council foster carers are paid a weekly allowance according to the age of the child or young person placed with them.

The payment includes funds for the household and the child’s personal needs, such as clothing, leisure activities and pocket money or savings.

But yesterday, those foster carers who would usually receive their money on a Monday were not paid.

A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman, said: “We have experienced some technical issues with our IT system which affected payments that were due to arrive in recipients’ accounts today (Monday).

“We kept our foster carers fully updated about the problem and have notified them that the payments will now arrive on Wednesday.

“We sincerely apologise for the delay.”

One foster carer who contacted the Chronicle & Echo said the late payment led her to miss standing orders that were due to go out of her bank account.

“When you work the hourly rate 24/7 it is so important the payments come in at the right time, because that is your only form of income.

“There is a lot of expectation on foster carers.”

The county council is currently launching a drive to recruit foster carers after it was revealed the number of looked after children in the county has hit record levels.

It is now believed there are more than 1,000 youngsters and teenagers in care.

To find out more, visit www.fosterme.co.uk, call 0300 126 1009 or come along to an information evening on Wednesday 20th January at John Dryden House in Northampton.