Carers who bring up children in their extended family will be eligible for more financial support to help with the job under new funding package announced by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
The disparity in the financial support offered to foster parents compared to kin carers, such as grandparents raising their grandchildren, was highlighted in the Government's White Paper on Vulnerable Children and Ms Bennett announced a $35 million funding package to help address that in this year's Budget.
She announced the details of that $35 million today, including a lump sum payment of $350 when a carer first takes on another family member's child to help pay for one-off costs such as bedding.
The carers will also be able to apply for a January yearly payment of $400 a year for under-5s up to $550 a year for secondary school aged children to help cover the cost of school charges and uniforms.
There is an additional 'Extraordinary Care Fund' of up to $2000 a year for some children who either have significant difficulties and need extra specialist support.