Fostering services in the island are short of carers

The island's foster service will not now get the money it needs to match the payments given to carers in the UK.

It is being withdrawn as part of the government's efforts to cut spending.

Hundreds of public sector posts are set to go over the next five years as the States attempts to slash spending by �20m a year.

We need another 20 families, but our ability to recruit is directly linked with the costs in fostering Tony Le Sueur

Tony Le Sueur, the fostering service's manager, said it was going to make it harder to attract people to foster children in the island.

He said: "We run campaigns all the time, but the number of people coming forward is just not sufficient to meet the needs.

"And one of the features that does not help recruitment is that our rates for carers are so low."

There are currently 130 children in care in Jersey, including 50 in foster care and 30 in residential care.

Mr Le Sueur said: "Many of those in residential care should be found family placements.

"We need another 20 families, but our ability to recruit is directly linked with the costs in fostering.

"That has a major impact on the most vulnerable members of our society."