Agenda item

A Report of the Chief Officer for Children’s Services (CS/18/25) on the consultation of Fostering Fees and Allowances.

(Councillors G Gribble and T Inch declared a Personal Interest in this matter by virtue of their sister and niece respectively, being a foster carer and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).

(Councillor C Wright attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 (2) and spoke to this item in relation to protecting allowances for experienced foster carers)

(Councillor J McInnes attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 (1) and spoke to this

item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Children’s Services (CS/18/25) outlining proposals for changes to the foster carers fees and allowances scheme.  The current fees and allowances system had been adapted and developed over many years and as a result the unintended consequence had been increased complexity, with some confusion and inequities.

Currently, there were five different payment schemes; three tier progression schemes; and four different age bands, which had created inequalities and a complex system of administration.  It also did not compare favourably with the local independent sector where there was generally one fee. 

Foster carers were not always receiving equal payments for children presenting similar needs.  For example, to care for the same 16-year-old child:

·         a tier 2 carer would receive £397 in fees and allowances,

·         a DYPAS tier 3 carer would receive £471 in fees and allowances, and

·         a tier 3 carer would receive £536 in fees and allowances.

The Council valued its foster carers and the contribution they made to the lives of many children and young people, and therefore wanted to create a fair and equitable system, a more transparent fee structure, and to be in a stronger position to recruit more foster carers in the future.  The new system aimed to strengthen the focus on children and their needs, matching payments to the complexity of need. 

The new model, as set out within the Report, comprised of a weekly allowance, an allocation for engagement with training and support groups, and allocations based on the needs of the child.

The Committee received an Addendum Report outlining the views and feedback of the consultation events held on 11 and 12 September 2018, which addressed any new or significantly different issues that may have emerged.  Following this consultation, the recommendation regarding protection of fees to foster carers was extended to include all foster carers experiencing a reduction in allowances for a period of two years or until their current placement ended, whichever came first. 

Members discussion points with officers included:

·         how assessments for children would be carried out and monitored;

·         different tiers of foster carers looking after children with complex needs, not just tier 3 carers;

·         the impact on the lives created by foster carers, their homes and employment, should the cuts be implemented;

·         the potential to apply the proposed changes to new foster carers only;

·         ensuring that children were not labelled under the assessment process;

·         payments for Christmas and birthdays to be paid separately as including them as part of the weekly allowance could affect short term placements;

·         transport and childminding requirements for those children with disabilities; and

·         an aim to make the new system fair, transparent and competitive.

It was MOVED by Councillor Channon, SECONDED by Councillor Biederman, and

RESOLVED that the Committee endorse the principles behind the changes to the Foster Carer fees and allowances structure, as set out in the Report and Addendum Report (CS/18/25), but that Cabinet be strongly urged to:

(i)            guarantee income protection for carers until all current foster placements come to an end;

(ii)           pay birthday, holiday and festival allowances on or near the relevant date, rather than as part of the weekly allowance; and

(iii)          ensure that the fostering service look favourably upon requests for additional support, in circumstances where there are childminding and/or transportation needs, where this is consistent with the child’s care plan.