Proposed decision:
(i) APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2021-22.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
Reasons:
• This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied by this Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April 2021
• 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.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 04/02/2021
Decision due: Not before 5th Mar 2021 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Reason: To enable the decision to be on the FED for a minimum of 28 days.
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead director: Matt Dunkley CBE
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Karen Stone, Revenue Finance Manager (0 - 25 services) 03000 416733 Email: karen.stone02@kent.gov.uk.
Financial implications: The uplift of Rates & Charges is included in the Draft 2021-22 Revenue Budget and the Draft 2021-23 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: An assessment has been completed and did not identify any adverse impact within these proposals to increase funding rates for children’s services. A copy of this will be attached with the report that is presented to CYPE Cabinet Committee on 9 March 2021.