Falkirk foster care is in crisis. The crisis in foster care has developed because Falkirk carers do not have a say about the conditions we work in. We need a seat at the table, and a meaningful voice that can't be taken away from us. We want union recognition.

If you support union recognition, sign this petition now to show Falkirk Council a majority of carers back this demand

This petition is for all registered Falkirk foster carers, members of the union and non-members

Read more below about why we want recognition …

Falkirk Foster Carers Deserve a Voice:

Falkirk foster carers look after the most vulnerable young people in our community. We play an essential role within the social service team. As foster carers we want to be able to give young people the best possible start in life. However, the current system in Falkirk is failing foster carers and young people.

Falkirk Council is failing to provide the practical and financial support that is essential to the job we do.

Even before the cost of living crisis, foster carers were subsidising the council from our own pockets, savings and pensions. The current crisis has exacerbated the already inadequate support. It is impacting our lives, our mental health, and our ability to provide the standard of care we desperately want to.Since 2019, our professional fees have decreased 15%, in real terms. Allowances for young people have not increased for 9 years. Inflation impacts foster carers at a considerably higher rate, because we spend more of our income on basic goods such as food and energy bills, those are the costs of raising children and young people.

In the recent survey we conducted 80% of foster carers said they are already cutting down household spending on leisure, 59% on food, and 54% on energy bills. Clearly, the reality of the situation is that, without urgent action from Falkirk council, these cuts will continue to impact on us, and will mean we cannot provide the young people in our care with the support they need and deserve.

Foster carers are being forced out of fostering or moving to private agencies. Meanwhile, Falkirk council is spending huge amounts on private agencies to plug the gaps resulting from a shortage of carers. In July 2021, 32% of Falkirk’s fostering placements were through private agencies. The use of private agency fostering placements costs the council, on average, twice as much.

The crisis in foster care has developed because Falkirk foster carers do not have a say about the conditions we work in.

In order for Falkirk to have the best possible foster care system, Falkirk Foster Carers need a seat at the table that can’t be taken away from us. We deserve to have a say over the conditions we work in, and the conditions that affect the young people in our care.

In 2021 it was proven in court that foster carers have a right to be members of a trade union. National Union of Professional Foster Carers v The Certification Officer [2021] EWCA Civil 548, which states that although foster carers are not classed as workers, they are to be treated as workers for the purposes of collective bargaining.

If a majority of foster carers in Falkirk sign this petition, we will show clearly that Falkirk Council should recognise our union.

The foster care of Falkrik are at the heart of the social care system and provide a vital service to the Falkirk Community. We deserve dignity and respect. We demand union recognition.