A CASH payment will be awarded to existing and prospective foster carers to look after children in Southampton.

The scheme has been launched by Southampton City Council to address the demand for carers.

Those who register and become accepted as a mainstream foster carer with the council on or before March 31, 2018, will be handed a one-off grant of £1,635.98.

The council is now looking for carers within 40 miles of the city to sign up.

Cllr Paul Lewzey, the council's cabinet member for children’s social care, said “We are well aware of the important role our foster carers play in looking after some of Southampton’s most vulnerable children.

“We hope this grant will persuade new fosters carers to come forward.”

The grant will be paid once new carers have had a child or children in placement with them for a minimum period of six months in total, irrespective of gaps in service.

Only one grant will be issued per fostering household, regardless of how many children a foster carer has in their care.

The grant also applies for existing foster carers who have had a child in their care for six months in total preceding April 1, 2017.

Existing mainstream foster carers who have had a child in their care for less than six months as of April 1, 2017, will receive their grant payment once the total number of care provision days provided is equivalent to six months.