Council and councillors

To receive Report No.166/2022 from the Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.    APPROVED the increased fostering allowances for all foster carers in line with cost-of-living increases.

2.    APPROVED the increased retention bonus for foster carers, and to include staying put carers within the retention bonus scheme.

3.    APPROVED the introduction of an increased placement supplement for children with particularly challenging needs.

4.    APPROVED the introduction of a professional foster carer payment for those caring for our hardest to place children.

5.    APPROVED that foster carers could access the Employee Assistance Programme and approved a housing costs contribution of £1000 to Rutland County Council foster carers.

6.    RECOMMENDED the Fostering Friendly Policy, which will support RCC employees who wished to become foster carers, is submitted to the Employment and Appeals Committee for approval.

Report No.166/2022 was introduced by Councillor David Wilby, Portfolio Holder for Education and Children's Services.

The report informed Cabinet of the review of fostering allowances and to seek approval for a range of measures designed to increase the number of Ruland County Council foster carers.

The review of fostering allowances and support had shown that whilst Rutland pay fostering allowances in line with the Fostering Network recommended levels, we were not keeping pace with neighbouring Local Authorities or independent fostering agencies

There had been no increase in fostering allowances since 2018 against a backdrop of increased living costs and significant rising costs in the provision of external placements.

Members welcomed the report, and we recognised the important work foster carers do. They felt it was vital to keep as many as possible within the border.

Councillor Harvey was pleased to see the increase in carers allowance in line with the full cost of living and the introduction of the professional foster carer scheme.

It was proposed by Councillor D Wilby that the recommendations of report No. 166/2022 be agreed, this was seconded and upon being put to the vote the motion was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.  APPROVED the increased fostering allowances for all foster carers in line with cost-of-living increases.

2.  APPROVED the increased retention bonus for foster carers, and to include staying put carers within the retention bonus scheme

3.  APPROVED the introduction of an increased placement supplement for children with particularly challenging needs.

4.  APPROVED the introduction of a professional foster carer payment for those caring for our hardest to place children.

5.  APPROVED that foster carers could access the Employee Assistance Programme and approved a housing costs contribution of £1000 to Rutland County Council foster carers.

6.  RECOMMENDED the Fostering Friendly Policy, which would support RCC employees who wish to become foster carers, be submitted to the Employment and Appeals Committee for approval.