Are Foster Carers Social Care Workers?
Foster carers play a crucial role in stabilising the basic unit of society – the family. Does this important function warrant them to be social care workers?
In the United Kingdom, social care workers are key workers of the government because they provide a wide range of support to individuals, families, and the community.
Back to the question – are foster carers social care workers?
Unfortunately, despite the similarities in function with social care workers, foster carers in the UK are not categorised as social care workers. However, it is worth noting that foster carers are similarly involved in providing essential support to vulnerable children and young people.
There is an ongoing debate about this issue with many believing that foster carers should be treated as key workers because of their involvement in community services through caring for children and young people.
Governments’ positions about foster carers as social care workers
Here are the positions taken by the governments in the UK:
England
Foster carers have not been classified as key workers by the Department for Education. However, the government remains aware of their social importance, thus, allowing foster carers to be eligible for priority testing and personal protective equipment.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is unclear about the status of foster carers as social care workers. However, they enjoy some benefits that key workers do.
Scotland
Scotland does not recognise foster carers as key workers.
Wales
Wales recognises and treats foster carers as social care workers. They are given a social care worker card to formally recognise their roles as key workers.
Fostering allowance
In all the UK member states, foster carers are entitled to an allowance, which is set by the local authority or the fostering agency.
Whether or not you are recognised as a social worker, becoming a foster carer is all about caring for children and young people who need brave members of society like you to assure them of a probable bright future.
