Decision details

Proposed decision:

(i)       APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2021-22.

(ii)       NOTE both the changes to the rates that are set by the Government/external agencies: Inter-agency charges and Essential Living Allowance and; any charges to other Local Authorities for use of in-house respite residential beds are to be calculated on a full cost recovery basis.

(iii)      DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, or other nominated officer, to undertake the necessary actions to implement the decision.

Reasons:

•         This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied by this Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April 2021

•         The recommendation report will distinguish between those rates and charges over which Members can exercise their discretion, and those which are laid down by Parliament.

•         The rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services are reviewed annually, with any revisions normally introduced from the start of the new financial year.

•         Some of the increases are directly linked to the published Department for Education fostering rates, which are reviewed by the Department annually.

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, I agree to:

a)     

i.      The weekly Foster Care Maintenance allowance to be increased in line with the rise in line the DFE fostering rates when published.

For information only: the 2020-21 rates have been included below for reference.

ii.     The weekly Foster Care Reward element is increased to:

iii.    The weekly Foster Care Disability Enhancement is increased to:

iv.   The weekly Foster Care Skills Based Payment is increased to:

v.     The weekly Emergency Foster Carer Retainer payment remains at:

vi.   The hourly Sessional & Day Care payments remain at:

vii.  The Foster Carer Mileage Rate will remain at 45p per mile in line with KCC staff.

viii. The Local Authority charges to OLAs for Children’s Services are increased to:

ix.   The Kent Supported Homes (Supporting Lodging payments to hosts) remain at:

*LHA – Local Housing Authority

**Various – the rate will depend on circumstances and agreed in line with the Staying Put policy.

b)    NOTE:

x.     The rates which are dictated by external agencies i.e. Inter-agency charges and Essential Living Allowance

xi.   The charges for other Local Authorities for use of in-house respite residential beds is to be calculated on a full cost recovery basis.

c)    DELEGATE:

Authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, or other nominated officers, to undertake the necessary actions to implement the decision.