The Children & Families Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council is scheduled to consider a range of important topics at its upcoming meeting. Key discussions are expected to revolve around fostering reforms and strategies, the refresh of the Hertfordshire Carers Strategy, and updates on the Family Support Service and the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Fostering Reforms and Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to discussing a motion concerning fostering reforms and strategy. This includes a review and potential uplift of fees and allowances paid to Hertfordshire's in-house foster carers to ensure they are competitive with neighbouring authorities. The report pack indicates that an uplift has been agreed for 2026-2027, with a 6.7% increase to Fostering Allowances Payments and a 3% uplift to Fostering Skills Payments. The panel will also consider the financial impact of increasing foster carer pay against projected savings from reducing reliance on independent fostering agency (IFA) placements. Furthermore, the development of a recruitment and retention plan for foster carers, encompassing improved financial support, training, respite, and wraparound services, will be addressed. The report highlights Hertfordshire County Council's participation in Foster East, a collaborative initiative involving 11 local councils aimed at recruiting and retaining foster carers, and discusses the government's broader vision for Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) and a new national model for fostering called Renewing Fostering.

Hertfordshire Carers Strategy Refresh

The panel is scheduled to consider the refreshed, multi-agency, all-age Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and its accompanying Action Plan. This strategy aims to better identify and support unpaid carers by bringing together work across health and social care. It amalgamates the Adult Carers Strategy and Young Carers Strategy, recognising the interdependencies, particularly for young carers transitioning to adult services. The report notes that there are just under 3000 young carers registered in Hertfordshire, though national evidence suggests this number may be an underestimate. The strategy includes commitments such as No Wrong Door for young carers, promotion of Carers in Case of Emergency Plans, and a focus on carers' health and wellbeing.

Family Support Service Update

An update on the Family Support Service (FSS) is on the agenda, focusing on the Family Centre contract, now one year into implementation, and an update on the charging policy for its universal services. The report indicates that provision of family support is not automatic and families must register for it. However, discussions are underway with Public Health colleagues to explore the possibility of automatic registration for new mothers and babies. The panel will also consider concerns regarding the low uptake of prepaid Little Herts cards among eligible families, with investigations underway to understand potential issues with card availability, distribution, or communication strategies.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The meeting will also review a detailed delivery plan for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This three-year grant replaces the former Household Support Fund and aims to support vulnerable households facing immediate financial crisis while also strengthening longer-term resilience. The report highlights welcome aspects such as clear funding criteria, a three-year timeframe enabling more stable project planning, and an emphasis on helping people in emergency situations or preventing future crises. A specific proposal for a Care Leaver (CL) advice project is mentioned, which would offer short life skills education followed by mentoring. The panel will consider the sufficiency of the £1.8 million assigned to the fund and how it will be managed, particularly in light of potential changes to free school meal eligibility and the transition to new local government structures.

Holiday Activity & Food Programme (HAPpy Programme)

An update on the Holiday Activity & Food Programme (HAF), locally branded as the HAPpy Programme, is scheduled. Members will receive information on the performance and forward plans for Hertfordshire's delivery of this Department for Education programme, which is funded until December 2028. The report notes the incorporation of over 1000 SEND children into the HAPpy programme and discusses how changes in free school meal eligibility might impact future delivery. The panel will also hear about other leisure activities that complement the HAPpy Programme.

Other Business

The agenda also includes a section for Other Part I Business, though no specific items are listed at the time of publication. The meeting will also address the minutes of the previous Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel meeting held on 16 March 2026 and provide an opportunity for public petitions.