A CHILD in the care of a local authority set fire to the home of his foster parents causing more than £25,000 worth of damage.

The incident is revealed in a decision taken by Blackburn with Darwen Council's children's services director Jo Siddle.

She has authorised a payment of £12,859 to the foster family because their household insurance was not adequate to cover the damage caused by the arson.

Ms Siddle took the decision to ensure they could continue to look after three youngsters in council care including the perpetrator.

In a report to councillors she says: "This report is a record of a decision to offer reimbursement to long-standing foster carers following significant damage to their property by a young person in their care.

"The approved foster carers had insured their property for building and contents, however they did not have adequate insurance and the policy was covered for far less than the damage.

"Although they made attempts to claim on their insurance, they were not offered enough compensation.

"They are valued foster carers who care for hard to place children and young people with significant behaviours that are challenging.

"Despite the damage caused to their property, they have continued to care for the young person.

"The care they offer is of a high standard, with placements of children and young people that other foster carers would be unlikely to accept.

"The carers accept responsibility for not having adequate insurance and have now ensured that their insurance is reflective of their contents.

"They do however feel that we should be supportive of them in this situation.

"The proposal is that the council reimburses the foster carers with 50 per cent of the costs (£12,859). When added to the insurance payment of £1,680 the total funds received by the foster carers is £14,539.

"The foster carers have made clear they would be unable to continue to foster for Blackburn with Darwen if there was no reimbursement possible, meaning that this valuable arrangement would not be available for the hard to place children and young people.

"There are three young people in placement. One young person has a history of therapeutic and residential placement at a relatively early age.

"The other young person would require supported living framework as he is 16.

"For the young person who committed arson, seeking a new placement will be challenging due to his behaviours.

"The option not to continue with this arrangement was considered but discounted given the value the carers bring to support our children and young people.

"This is both in terms of the specialist skills they provide and the high placement costs that are averted."