Issue details

Proposed decision –.

APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2026-27 and 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.

Reason for the decision

This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied by this Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April 2026. This is an annual decision taken prior to the start of the new financial year.

Background

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.

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

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

Options (other options considered but discarded)

• Do nothing: Freezing rates at 2025-26 levels . This support continues to provide the most cost-effective provision for our looked after children, former looked after children and an alternative to children’s services. The annual uplift continues to form part of the Council’s approach to recruit and retain both in-house foster carers and Kent Supported Homes Hosts, along with promoting alternatives to care. By not applying a reasonable uplift could put at risk this strategy.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

This decision is in support of Aim 3: “Supporting Residents That Need Help” by supporting incentives to support the recruitment and retention of foster carers to ensure more children have the opportunity to grow up in a safe and secure family environment, along with providing financial support for eligible children to remain with a family setting through adoption and special guardianship payments. This also supports Aim 2: “Reforming Kent County Council” by prioritising investment to support the continuation of the Council’s most cost-effective provision for looked after children (in-house foster care and placing with family & friends) and to avoid the use of more costly externally commissioned placements.

Financial Implications

The forecast spend on in-house foster carer, Kent Supported Home Hosts and permanency related payments associated with this decision totals approximately £41m in 2025-26. Payments are funded by the General Fund (except if in the case of unaccompanied asylum seeking children whose costs are funded from the Home Office Grant). The placement costs are included in the following budget lines: “Looked After Children – Care & Support (Placements) for both Disabled and Non-Disabled Children”; “Adoption & Special Guardianship Arrangements & Service” and; “Asylum – Kent Permanent Looked After Children (under 18)”.  The Draft 2026-27 Revenue Budget and the Draft 2026-29 Medium Term Financial Plan includes a provision for the increase in the expected rate for in-house foster carers, adoption and special guardianship payments totalling c£1.5m. Proposed increases are expected to be fully funded from agreed budgets (or Home Office funding) with no further cost to KCC.

Our in-house foster carers continue to provide the most cost-effective provision for our looked after children. The annual review of the foster carer payments continues to form part of Kent Fostering’s approach to the recruitment and retention strategy of our foster carers by enabling the service to provide a competitive package in the carer’s marketplace both in terms of the fostering and wider job market. By not applying a reasonable uplift could put at risk this strategy.