Proposed decision:
i. APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2022-23.
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.
Background:
This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied by this Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April 2022.
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: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/02/2022
Decision due: Not before 17th Mar 2022 by Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Reason: To allow 28 days after FED publication
Lead director: Matt Dunkley CBE
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Karen Stone, Revenue Finance Manager (0 - 25 services) Email: karen.stone02@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
Cabinet Committee consideration is planned for 1st March 2022.
Financial implications: The uplift of Rates & Charges is included in the Draft 2022-23 Revenue Budget and the Draft 2022-25 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 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 1 March 2022. A DPIA is not required and there are no data protection implications.