Purpose

The Council undertakes an annual review
process to consider fee and allowance levels for foster carers. The
annual review process is likely to lead to increased fees and
allowances (reflecting continued cost pressures faced by foster
carers and the need to ensure that LCC at least matches statutory
levels of fee and allowance) with an expected cost greater than the
key decision threshold.
Recruiting and retaining foster carers is a
key issue for the Council in being able to deliver beneficial
outcomes for children and young people but also in relation to help
manage the financial challenges of more costly external residential
which would be required if foster carers levels are not (at least)
maintained at existing levels. It is noted however that fee and
allowance levels is not the primary motivating factor for the
overwhelming majority of foster carers.

Content

Please see attached report.