Issue - meetings

To receive a report which sets out the proposed revision to the rates payable and charges levied for children’s services within Kent for the 2018-19 financial year.

(Simon Pleace (Finance Business Partner for Children, Young People and Education) was in attendance for this item)

1.    Simon Pleace introduced the report which set out the proposed revision to the rates payable and charges levied for children’s services within Kent for the 2018-19 financial year.

a)    In response to a question, Matt Dunkley said that there had been competitive tension between sectors. He said that Kent aimed to seek placement for as many children as possible with Kent’s in-house foster carers. He said it was important to ensure sufficient training and support was in place for foster carers.

b)    In response to a question, Sarah Hammond (Interim Director of Specialist Children’s Services) said that over 80% of Kent’s children in care were placed in in-house placements. She said that the 3% uplift for all in-house fostering and associated payments was a fair percentage indicator and allowed foster carers to feel valued. She said that Kent were taking part in pilot projects to look at ways in which foster carers could receive further support.

c)    In response to a question relating to adoption service charges, Simon Pleace said that the charges were agreed by the Local Government Association (LGA), Consortium of Voluntary Agencies (CVAA), Association of Directors of Children Services (ADCS) and Society of Local Authority Chief Executive (SOLACE). He said that the rates remained unchanged from those published in 2014-15. Sarah Hammond said that Kent were very good at recruiting, assessing and registering adopters and that the services of Kent’s adopters would be marketed to neighbouring authorities for prices determined within the report. She said that when Kent had to pay external adopters, this was because they needed specialist services that they could not find in-house.

d)    In response to a question relating to other Local Authority charges, Simon Pleace confirmed that the proposed rate for 2018-19 of £72.38 per hour for social work support and assessment was in line with Adult Social Care within Kent. He said he would ensure a briefing note was circulated to Members of the Committee to confirm whether this rate was in line with agencies and other local authorities. He also agreed to circulate a list of the events that had been held across the county for foster carers.

2.    RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, to

a)     approve the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2018-19 as detailed in section 2 of this report; and

b)     note both the changes to the following rates that are dictated by 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; and

c)     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;

be endorsed.