An investigation could be held into pocket money payments made to children in the care of Dorset Council.

Dorchester councillor Richard Biggs has called for a look at the issue for Dorset children and young people who are placed by the council into the care of private providers, although he welcomed news that in the council's own homes, payments for pocket money will be standardised.

Cllr Biggs told an audit meeting that he was worried that some private foster carers and businesses might, effectively, be using payments which should go to those in their care, and adding the amount to their profits.

Other issues of standard payments raised in the past have included the lump sum young people who have been in care receive when they leave the local authority system – money which is designed to help them set up their own home or to help with education and other costs.

Some had told the council they did not receive any payments at all which led to an internal investigations and recommendations to change the systems and check that payments were being made where there was an entitlement.

Dorset Council executive finance director Aidan Dunn told Cllr Biggs that he would talk to children's services about the pocket money payments, adding that it might be an area for further investigation.