Issue - meetings

Ms Smith (Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting) and Ms Stone (Children, Young People and Education Finance Business Partner) were in attendance for this item

(1)        Ms Smith briefly introduced the report which set out the proposed revision to the rates payable and charges levied for children’s services within Kent for the 2020-21 financial year, in line with recommended changes to the Kent Fostering Policy.

Officers then responded to comments and questions from Members, including the following: -

(a)    Ms Smith explained the rationale behind the proposal and the need to be competitive within the market and attract experienced carers to allow them to join the service at a higher skills rate and enhance Kent’s offer to carers.

(b)    Ms Smith stated that foster carers who received an enhanced rate of pay would still receive the maintenance reward and would be able to immediately access the additional payment and bring Kent County Council in line with the independent market. The model would mean that experienced carers that had been fostering for many years would be able to work with some of Kent’s more complex children whilst accessing enhancements immediately.

(2)        RESOLVED that the proposed decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to:

(i)            agree the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2020-21 as detailed in section 2 of this report;

(ii)          agree the proposed changes to the Kent Fostering Payment Policy in 202-21 as detailed in section 3 of this report including changes to the Parent & Child Payment Policy;

(iii)         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; and

(iv)         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.