We asked the Department how it intended to overcome these barriers, and those of the cost of living, given these would not be addressed through the fostering hub. It told us that local authorities have a lot of discretion over the support they offer foster carers. It has seen, for example, local authorities provide small capital grants to allow for conversions and extensions of homes, or offer deductions on council tax. It is also expecting its pilot regional organisations to go further with the model of providing incentives.55 However, it told us it does not yet systematically encourage and direct local authorities in their approaches.56 Monitoring private providers