20/03/2020

South Australia’s foster and kinship carers will receive a one-off, immediate $200 payment from the State Government for each child or young person in their care in a bid to help families buy essential cleaning and hygiene products to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

As a way of ensuring carers have additional financial support to buy households items including cleaning products, hand sanitiser and soap, the State Government has committed more than $720,000 towards a one-off, $200 payment for every child and young person in family-based care across the state.

In South Australia, there are currently a total of just over 3,600 children and young people in family based care.

Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson said this measure was part of the government’s strong and clear plan to help combat the spread of the coronavirus, especially with some of our most vulnerable South Australians.

“The State Government’s one-off immediate payment to our invaluable foster and kinship carers will ease the burden to help families buy essential household products to help slow the spread of coronavirus,” said Minister Sanderson.

“We know that every little bit helps and this is another practical, sensible way that our plan is helping to alleviate concerns of many vulnerable people in our community.

“With the extra focus on cleaning hands thoroughly and regularly, we know this is an additional expense for our carers, and our $200 one-off payment will hopefully provide some relief.

“In cases where carers, children and young people are required to self-isolate, we also understand there will be added costs for cleaning products and other household items.

“We have acted swiftly and decisively and this is another practical measure which forms part of our strong response to the coronavirus pandemic and carers will begin to receive the one-off payment within a week.

“We will continue to ensure we are doing everything we can to support our staff, carers, children and young people in care over the coming weeks and months.”