Purpose

Proposed Decision:
 
The Cabinet Member for
Integrated Children’s Services is expected to be asked
to:
 

1.         
APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable
and charges levied for Children’s Services in
2024-25.

2.         
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.

3.         
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.

 

Further Information:
This decision revises the rates
payable and charges levied by this
Council for Children’s Social Care Services from 1 April
2024
 
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.
 
The proposed decision
supports both the key priority of “Levelling up Kent”
and “New Models of Care & Support” within the
‘Framing Kent’s Future (2022-26)’. Along with
“Securing Kent’s Future – budget recovery
strategy”.  Recruitment and
retention of our in-house foster and support offer and providing
appropriate financial support to our permanency arrangements is
crucial in developing and sustaining cost effective placements
options for our vulnerable children. Along with supporting families
to support children through the use of
Direct Payments to be as independent of greater state support.
Funds are included as part of the Medium
Term Financial Plan 2024-27.

 

Decision

Decision:
 
As Cabinet Member
for Integrated Children’s Services, I agree to:
 

a)   
 

i.     
The weekly Foster Care Maintenance allowance is increased to:
 

All placements under 2 years
old

£197.08

All placements 2 to 4 years
old

£203.54

All placements 5 to 10 years
old

£224.00

All placements 11 to 15 years
old

£256.31

All placements over 16 years
old

£299.38

 

ii.    
The weekly Foster Care Reward element is increased to:
 

Non-related placements 0 to 8 years old

£144.74

Non-related placements 9 to 18 years old

£274.92

 

iii.   
The weekly Foster Care Disability Enhancement is increased to:
 

Standard

£82.48

Enhanced

£109.97

 

iv.  
The weekly Foster Care Skills Based Payment is increased to:
 

Skilled (Level 2)

£26.27

Advanced (Level 3)

£65.62

 

v.    
The weekly Emergency Foster Carer Retainer payment is increased
to:
 

Retainer

£274.92

 

vi.  
The hourly Sessional & Day Care payments increase to:
 

Sessional Work

£11.94

Day Care

£11.94

 

vii. 
The Foster Carer Mileage Rate will remain at 45p per mile in line
with KCC staff.
 

viii. The additional
rates for the Step Across to Fostering Scheme to be set at:
 

Settling in Period (one-off payment)

£5,000

Retention Payment (4th Month
one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (8th Month
one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (12th Month
one-off payment)

£2,500

Retention Payment (18th Month
one-off payment)

£2,500

Retainer (weekly payment)

£274.92

Vacant Bed (weekly payment max. 4 weeks)

£274.92

 

ix.  
The Kent Supported Homes (Supporting Lodging payments to hosts) is
increased to:
 

Standard Support (per
week)

£178.69

Enhanced Support (per
week)

£297.81

Complex Support (legacy cases
only) (per week)

£200.00

Mother and Baby Arrangement
Support (per week)

£357.37

Outreach support (per
hour)

£11.94

Rent (16/17 year old and 18+
who are not eligible to claim benefits) (per week)

£83.38

Rent (University non-term
time)

LHA**
rate

Staying Put Extended Foster
Care Rate

Various**

*LHA – Local
Housing Authority
**Various –
the rate will depend on circumstances and agreed in line with the
Staying Put policy.
 

b)   
NOTE:

x.    
The rates which are dictated by external agencies
i.e. Inter-agency charges and Essential Living Allowance
 
 

c)   
DELEGATE:
Authority to the Corporate
Director of Children, Young People and Education, or other
nominated officers, to undertake the necessary actions to implement
the decision.