Driven by £££s

A small enlightening exchange at this morning's Children & Families Committee.

The Convenor moves a motion to ' Ask the Director to report on how the Department could more quickly increase the fees paid to foster carers to bring them in line with those paid in the private sector'...this in response to a report that shows Edinburgh's fees are so low we don't attract enough potential carers from the family relatives of destitute bairns...

'Eh, haud oan a minute,' or words to that effect pipes up Cllr Mackenzie, chair of finance, 'Kin we afford it?'

In rushes the C+F director to defend the recommendation, 'Because our fees are so low we have to pay private carers more so really this is just a redistribution...'

A magisterial nod of assent from Mackenzie, a sigh of relief from Convenor & Director...so finance driven it all is now....strange old times when the needs of children are subordinate to £££ s.