Proposed Decision:
The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services is expected to be asked to:
2. 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.
3. 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.
Further Information:
This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied by this Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April 2024
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.
The proposed decision supports both the key priority of “Levelling up Kent” and “New Models of Care & Support” within the ‘Framing Kent’s Future (2022-26)’. Along with “Securing Kent’s Future – budget recovery strategy”. Recruitment and retention of our in-house foster and support offer and providing appropriate financial support to our permanency arrangements is crucial in developing and sustaining cost effective placements options for our vulnerable children. Along with supporting families to support children through the use of Direct Payments to be as independent of greater state support. Funds are included as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan 2024-27.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 27/02/2024
Decision due: Not before 27th Mar 2024 by Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Exeuctive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Lead director: Sarah Hammond
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Karen Stone, Revenue Finance Manager (0 - 25 services) Email: karen.stone02@kent.gov.uk or 03000 416733 Email: karen.stone02@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
The Children’s and Young People Cabinet Committee considered and endorsed the decision on 6th March 2024
Consultees
The proposed decision will be considered by the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 6 March 2024.
Financial implications: The uplift of Rates & Charges is included in the Draft 2024-25 Revenue Budget and the Draft 2024-27 Medium Term Financial Plan.
Legal implications: We have a duty to review the allowances and fees paid to foster carers on an annual basis as outlined in the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services issued by the Secretary of State under section 23 of the Children Standards Act 2000.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications : An assessment will be completed and any adverse impact within these proposals to increase funding rates for children’s services will be shared with this the CYPE Cabinet Committee on 8 March 2024. Data Protection implications: A DPIA is not required and there are no data protection implications.