Foster Care: Finance

Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the cost of an intensive fostering placement.

Maria Eagle
The estimated cost for intensive fostering for the financial year 2009-10 will vary with the geographical area in which the provider is located, with some areas having larger overheads, including foster carer payments, transport, salaries and premise costs than another area. The costs currently range between £2,220 to £2,385 per week per placement.