Contact: Pam Robinson Tel: 01962 847991 email: [email protected]
Contact: Sue Kocaman Tel: 01962 847166 email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services:

1.2 Approves the following increases to allowances, fees and associated expenses:

1.2.1 Increase Fostering Allowances to align Hampshire's fostering rates more closely with the National Recommended Fostering rate as of April 2007.

1.2.2 Increase Adoption allowances in line with Fostering allowance increases as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.3 Increase Residence allowances in line with Fostering Allowance increases as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.4 Increase Special Guardianship allowances in line with Fostering Allowances as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.5 Increase Kinship care allowances in line with Fostering Allowances as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.6 Increase Family Link allowances by 2.5% as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.7 Increase Foster Carers skill fees by 2.5% as of 1 April 2007.

1.2.8 Increase additional miscellaneous expenses associated with the above activity

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by enabling some of our most vulnerable children to lead positive lives, cared for by a stable and permanent family.

"Maximising well-being" - by enabling children to experience a good quality of family life so that they can achieve their maximum potential.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

The decisions will enable more children to live in family placements, by ensuring that a range and choice of placements is available so that each child can be carefully matched to a family setting which meets their needs. With a stable family placement, children are more likely to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being as adults.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Taking no action would mean that carers would not be well supported financially, which could prove a barrier to the child being able to live with a family.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services