Contact: Gill Horrobin Tel: 01962 847263 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children & Families approves the following changes to allowances, fees and associated expenses so as to:

1) increase Fostering Allowances to match Fostering Network's Recommended Rates as at 1 April 2008 (Reference Table 1);

2) increase Adoption Allowances to keep them aligned with National Minimum Rates for fostering as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 5.8, Table 2);

3) increase Residence Allowances in line with Adoption Allowances as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 6.4, Table 3 );

4) increase Special Guardianship Allowances in line with Adoption Allowances as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 7.4, Table 3);

5) increase Kinship Care allowances to keep them aligned with National Minimum Rates for fostering as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 8.3, Table 3);

6) increase Family Link Allowances by 2.5% as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 9.1, Table 4);

7) increase Foster Carers Skill Fees by 2.5% as of 1 April 2008 (Reference paragraph 10.5, Table 5) on the basis that this is an interim measure whilst further work is carried out to implement the new skills fee system agreed at the Executive Member Decision Day in January;

8) increase additional miscellaneous expenses associated with the above activity (Reference Section 11).

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

"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 family life so that they can achieve their maximum potential.

2.2 The decision 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 wellbeing as adults.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 None

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 Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families