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<p>The department is investing over £36 million this parliament to deliver a fostering
recruitment and retention programme, so that foster care is available for more children
who need it. This will boost approvals of foster carers, as well as aiding the retention
of foster carers already in place.</p><p>St Helens North is participating in this
programme, working in a regional cluster group, ‘Foster4’, which is led by Warrington.</p><p>Greater
financial support for foster carers will help improve the experiences of all children
in care. For the second year running, the department is increasing the National Minimum
Allowance (NMA) above the rate of inflation. For 2024/2025, the NMA will increase
by 6.88%. This is on top of a 12.43% NMA increase in 2023/24.</p><p>In addition, the
department estimates that changes to tax and benefit allowances will give the average
foster carer an additional £450 per year as well as simplifying the process for self-assessment
returns for most foster carers.</p><p>The department will also build on its investment
since 2014 of over £8 million to advance the work of the Mockingbird programme, an
innovative model of peer support for foster parents and the children in their care
where children benefit from an extended family environment.</p>
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