Decision details

Proposed decision –

a)    APPROVE the changes to the rates payable for Children’s Services in 2023-24.

b)    NOTE the rates which are dictated by external agencies i.e. Inter-agency charges and Essential Living Allowance

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.

Background:

The rates payable by 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)     

1. The weekly Foster Care Maintenance allowance is increased to:

2. Additional one-off payment of £500 per foster carer in 2023-24

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

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

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

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

7. The hourly Sessional & Day Care payments increase to:

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

9. 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:

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

c)    DELEGATE:

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