Issue - decisions

25/00010 - Proposed Revision of Rates Payable and Charges Levied by Kent County Council for Children's Social Care Services in 2025-26

 

 

21/03/2025 - 25/00010 - Proposed Revision of Rates Payable and Charges Levied by Kent County Council for Children's Social Care Services in 2025-26

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

 

a)      

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

 

All placements under 2 years old

£203.54

All placements 2 to 4 years old

£211.08

All placements 5 to 10 years old

£232.62

All placements 11 to 15 years old

£266.00

All placements over 16 years old

£310.15

 

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

 

Non-related placements 0 to 8 years old

£150.53

Non-related placements 9 to 18 years old

£285.92

 

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

 

Standard

£85.78

Enhanced

£114.37

 

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

 

Skilled (Level 2)

£26.98

Advanced (Level 3)

£67.39

 

v.     The weekly Emergency Foster Carer Retainer payment is increased to:

 

Retainer

£285.92

 

vi.   The one-off payment to Emergency Foster Carers towards additional essentials for newly arrived unaccompanied asylum seeking children:

 

One-off (clothing & toiletries)

£100.00

 

 

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

 

Sessional Work

£12.71

Day Care

£12.71

 

viii.         The rates for Mockingbird Hub Home Carer payments to be set at:

 

Standard weekly payment

£710.44

Social Activities additional payment

£100.00

 

ix.   The sessional rate for Kent Fostering Panel attendance:

 

Panel Chair

£421.89

Panel Member

£158.21

 

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

 

xi.   The adoption hospitality allowance for foster carers will be set at £25.00 per day.

 

xii.  The additional rates for the Step Across to Fostering Scheme to be set at:

 

Settling in Period (one-off payment)

£5,000

Retention Payment (4th Month one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (8th Month one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (12th Month one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (18th Month one-off payment)

£2,500

Retainer (weekly payment)

£285.92

Vacant Bed (weekly payment max. 4 weeks)

£285.92

 

xiii.         The Kent Supported Homes (Supporting Lodging payments to hosts) is increased to:

 

Standard Support (per week)

£185.84

Enhanced Support (per week)

£309.72

Complex Support (legacy cases only) (per week)

£200.00

Mother and Baby Arrangement Support (per week)

£371.66

Outreach support (per hour)

£12.71

Rent (16/17 year old and 18+ who are not eligible to claim benefits) (per week)

£86.72

Rent (University non-term time)

LHA** rate

Staying Put Extended Foster Care Rate

Various**

*LHA – Local Housing Authority

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

 

b)    Updates to the Kent Fostering Payment Policy for 2025-26, an overarching policy document to set out all foster payments.

 

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

 

d)    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.