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Foster and kinship carers can claim up to £1,000 towards training, it was announced yesterday.

The cash will allow these carers to access places on approved childcare-related training courses, including SVQs, and will cover associated costs, like childcare.

The training allowances are part of a £4 million package for foster and kinship carers which will also:

• Launch a one-stop information and advice service for kinship carers, run by Citizens Advice Scotland
• Develop child-friendly advice and information for foster children and the children of foster carers
• Train councils in the use of permanence orders which give children the right to settle with their foster carers permanently
• Establish national guidelines for dealing with abuse allegations and support The Fostering Network's helpline
• Fund a review of national guidelines for councils on the recruitment and training of foster and kinship carers.

Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingramsaid:

"Foster and kinship carers can be a source of calm in the often turbulent lives of some of our most vulnerable youngsters.

"They have the power to shape young lives for the better and that's why it's crucial we give them the support they need to perform this vital task.

"The measures announced today will help, particularly by offering access to specialist training, tailored to the needs of the children in their care.

"But this is simply the start. We value the contribution of foster and kinship carers and are committed to ensuring they are recognised and rewarded for the care they provide."

Bryan Ritchie, director of the Fostering Network Scotland, said:

"The funding is a positive step towards creating a world-class fostering service in Scotland. The training allowance will ensure foster and kinship carers are much better equipped to transform the lives of children in their care."

Kaliani Lyle, chief executive of Citizens Advice Scotland, said:

"This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Scottish Government to create a national source of advice and information for kinship carers. The financial impact of children coming to live with a kinship carer can be substantial.

"Our bureaux across Scotland will help kinship carers navigate their way through the often complex income, benefits and taxation systems and help establish their legal rights and responsibilities for the children in their care."

Background:

Around 2,400 foster and 1,200 kinship carers of looked after children will be eligible for the training allowance. Councils will hold the allowance on carers' behalf. Carers can approach councils to access the allowance if they identify a relevant training course they wish to study. The allowance is a one-off payment and is only available in this financial year.

Training will be delivered by councils and external providers, such as The Fostering Network (TFN) and British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) or through existing programmes such as SVQs.

The National Fostering and Kinship Care Strategy, to be published this autumn, will examine a range of issues around support for foster and kinship carers, including remuneration and support for carers.

For a copy of the analysis of responses to the consultation to inform the development of the National Fostering and Kinship Care Strategy, and a Citizens Advice Scotland report on benefits for kinship carers, contact Laura Kohler on 0131 244 2670.