AT least six foster carers are expected to be compensated after missing out on payments they were legally entitled to.

The news comes after BCP Council recently awarded around £52,000 to a couple who were not paid fees and allowances by the former Bournemouth Borough Council over a number of years for looking after a niece and nephew.

Councillors have been told that eight similar cases have since been investigated after a finding of injustice by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman – with six likely to receive an apology and compensation, the amounts yet to be agreed.

In a statement earlier this week the council’s corporate director for children’s services, Elaine Redding, said the ombudsman’s judgements are already being acted on.

“We accept the conclusions of the investigation undertaken by the ombudsman and had already undertaken many of the actions set out in the report,” she said.

“On behalf of BCP Council I offer an unreserved apology to the family in this case and we have written to them making clear we will be addressing the issues as outlined in the report.”

At a full council meeting on Tuesday evening portfolio holder for children and young people Cllr Mike White said that cases from the former council, going back five years, had now been looked at and of eight investigated, six further cases of underpayment have been found with the council currently negotiating settlements with each of them.

He told the meeting that the council would respond to any further claims made.

Cllr Simon Bull, (Winton), told the meeting that he had already been approached by a resident in his ward who believed they may also have been the victim of historic underpayment by the former council.