Issue - decisions

26/00004 - Proposed Revision of Rates Payable and Charges Levied by Kent County Council for Children's Social Care Services in 2026-27

 

 

14/04/2026 - 26/00004 - Proposed Revision of Rates Payable and Charges Levied by Kent County Council for Children's Social Care Services in 2026-27

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

 

a)     

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

 

All placements under 2 years old

£210.00

All placements 2 to 4 years old

£218.62

All placements 5 to 10 years old

£240.15

All placements 11 to 15 years old

£274.62

All placements over 16 years old

£320.92

 

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

 

Non-related placements 0 to 8 years old

£156.70

Non-related placements 9 to 18 years old

£297.64

 

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

 

Standard

£89.30

Enhanced

£119.06

 

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

 

Skilled (Level 2)

£28.09

Advanced (Level 3)

£70.15

 

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

 

Retainer

£297.64

 

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

 

One-off (clothing & toiletries)

£100.00

 

 

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

 

Sessional Work

£13.21

Day Care

£13.21

 

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

 

Standard weekly payment

£737.62

Social Activities additional payment

£100.00

 

  1. The sessional rate for Kent Fostering Panel attendance:

 

Panel Chair

£439.19

Panel Member

£164.70

 

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

 

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

 

  1. 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)

£297.64

Vacant Bed (weekly payment max. 4 weeks)

£297.64

 

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

 

Standard Support (per week)

£193.46

Enhanced Support (per week)

£322.42

Complex Support (legacy cases only) (per week)

£200.00

Mother and Baby Arrangement Support (per week)

£386.90

Outreach support (per hour)

£13.21

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

£90.28

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)    NOTE:

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

ii.            Direct Payments will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis through support planning and review processes to enable the Council to respond to individual circumstances.

 

 

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.