Devon County Council Children and Young People s Services Fostering Rates and Allowances 2010/11 www.devon.gov.uk/fostering 1
Contents Foreword by Councillor Andrea Davis 1. Introduction 4 2. Statement of purpose 4 3. Basic principles of the payment scheme 4 4. Payment of allowances 5 Foster care rates 5 What the regular weekly payments cover 6 Budgeting 6 Travel costs 6 Pocket money 6 Emergency payments 7 Christmas and birthday allowances 7 Holiday allowances 7 Personal Education Allowance 8 Additional costs 9 Costs incurred on behalf of CYPS - hospitality and day care 10 Transport 10 Transport costs excluding mileage 11 Assistance to foster carers with purchase of vehicles and adapting property 12 Membership of Fostering Network 12 Retainers 12 Shared care placements 14 Extended rehabilitation 14 Children with special needs 14 Parent and child placements 14 Special fostering payments 15 School meals 15 Contact 15 Respite 16 Overpayments to foster carers 16 Carers subject to allegations 17 Additional payments made to carers and young people in care 17 Working with teenagers and care leavers 18 5. Carers Progression Scheme 21 6. Remand foster care 22 7. Young People s Accommodation Service 22 8. Family Care Workers Scheme 24 9. Concurrency Scheme 27 10. Complaints 27 11. Questions 27 Appendix 1 Minimum clothing list 28 Appendix 2 Tax advice for 30 carers from the Inland Revenue Appendix 3 Insurance cover for 39 foster carers Appendix 4 New Transport 41 Co-ordination Service arrangements 2 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
Foreword I would like to begin on behalf of Council members, by thanking all our foster carers for their ongoing commitment to Devon s children and young people in our care. We recognise that fostering is both a demanding and rewarding task that requires a high level of skill, knowledge and experience from carers. The past twelve months has been a particularly significant one in respect of the work undertaken by fostering staff and carers to embed the payment for skills scheme introduced in April 2009. We fully acknowledge the time and effort carers are taking in the completion of their workbooks that reflect the skills, experience, learning and professional development required. This year s Rates and Allowances aims to build on achievements to date, for example, by offering carers payment for supervising contact, in respect of additional sessions over and above what is expected of carers and in respect of children not placed with them. The fostering rates have also been increased so that they continue to exceed the Fostering Network s national minimum recommendations. I would like to end by saying how much you, as Devon s foster carers, are appreciated and valued by all County Councillors, and in particular for the difference you make to children s and young people s lives. Councillor Andrea Davis Lead Executive Member for Children and Young People s Services March 2010 Foster Care Rates and Allowances 3
1. Introduction Children and Young People s Services (CYPS) recognises: the skills, experience and commitment of foster carers caring for children and young people the role foster carers play in working with families in partnership with CYPS. This document outlines the scheme of weekly payments made to foster carers and the Progression Scheme for all foster carers. For full details please refer to the Progression Scheme documents available from the Fostering Service. This payment scheme was developed following extensive consultation with foster carers, councillors and staff. It addresses many of the issues raised by foster carers about the previous complex system of payments. The payment scheme is based on the payment for skills principles recommended by the Fostering Network, and the new Standards for Foster Care developed by The Children s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to ensure that all foster carers receive induction, training and support and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Annual inflation increases are made in April each year as agreed by Devon County Council. 2. Statement of purpose The Fostering Services Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering state that a fostering service needs a clear statement of aims and objectives. Devon Fostering Service s statement of purpose is: Devon s Fostering Service works in partnership with children and young people, their families and carers to provide safe, caring homes which value the differences in children and young people and help them to achieve their full potential. We aim to achieve this by providing: safe, warm and caring family environments comprehensive support for children, young people and carers encouragement for children and young people to meet their full potential and to mark and celebrate their successes personal and group support for carers and their families a flexible service which respects individual needs and values diversity measurable outcomes which strive to achieve, or exceed, National Standards a professional service which is accountable, financially viable, and maximises partnership opportunities. We are working to become a service which fully meets and exceeds the National Minimum Standards. A full version of our statement of purpose is available at www.devon.gov.uk/fostering 3. Basic principles of the payment scheme Basic weekly allowances are payable to all mainstream foster carers and include an element to cover specific costs such as school excursions. A travel allowance can be claimed individually by carers - see page 10. The Carer s Progression Scheme reflects a three-tiered approach and incorporates payments to all foster carers including mainstream, kinship, specific, concurrent carers 4 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
and carers in specialist schemes such as the Family Care Workers Scheme, Remand Carers and the Young People s Accommodation Service. It recognises carer s skills, experience and training and learning in caring for children and young people with more complex needs. See page 21 for payment levels. It enables carers, should they wish to do so, and should they have the necessary skills and competencies, to progress and develop the skills to care for children with complex needs. The payment scheme is designed to establish fair, equitable and transparent financial arrangements across the county. It is designed to make sure that foster carers and social work staff are clear about the payments to be made. The Carer s Progression Scheme is regularly reviewed. This payment scheme will be fully reviewed next year and any recommendations for amendments will be consulted on with carers, councillors and staff. 4. Payment of allowances Devon County Council (DCC) wishes to make sure wherever possible that payments are made directly into the carer s bank or building society account. This will save unnecessary administration costs. Carers are paid using the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS). Allowances are paid weekly, and cover the period from Monday to Sunday. They can be drawn on Friday mornings. Foster care rates The age groupings comply with the government prescribed age groupings for younger children, as set out in the National Minimum Allowance Rates for Fostering. Age group Old weekly rate 2009/10 New daily rate 2010/11 New weekly rate 2010/11 Under 2 years 106.47 15.62 109.34 109 2 4 years 108.01 15.86 111.02 111 5 10 years 119.35 17.50 122.50 122 11 15 years 141.33 20.73 145.11 140 16+ 168.77 24.73 173.11 164 National minimum weekly rate 2010/11 These rates are free from income tax, as long as they do not exceed your qualifying amount see page 30. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 5
What the weekly payments cover These payments are designed to cover the full cost of caring for the foster child. They incorporate all costs for: food clothing initial clothing, replacement clothing due to wear and out-growing and school uniform pocket money personal and household expenditure equipment special outings dental and optical needs activities including clubs and hobbies school activities including trips, holidays and associated equipment telephone expenses. Carers should keep receipts for all clothing. Appendix 1 on page 28 is a minimum clothing list which shows the minimum expectation when a child moves from one placement to another after six months of being looked after. It is important that children in care are provided with appropriate, well-fitting clothing. It is the fostering supervising social worker and carer s responsibility to make sure that a clothing list is completed at the start and end of every placement. If, when a child moves to a new carer after six months, it is found the clothing is not adequate, then the previous carer will be expected to reimburse the costs of the shortfall. These full weekly rates will be paid pro rata for emergency placements, and for short term and longer term placements, to make sure that other disruption costs are covered, such as extra laundry involved in caring for a succession of children on a short term basis. Any part of a day that a child is in placement is paid at a full day s allowance. Where a child in foster care receives respite from another carer, both carers receive a full day s allowance for part days - see page 28. Budgeting As in an ordinary household, foster carers will be expected to budget so that they can save money from the weekly allowance and use it as necessary during the year for expenses such as school trips. Travel costs These continue to be claimed as in previous years - see page 10. Pocket money The weekly rate includes money for a young person to have pocket money. We believe it is unhelpful to be too rigid about levels of pocket money, but offer the guidelines below. Levels need to relate to what is comparable in the young person s own family, to what is given to the foster carer s own children, and to what the young person can expect to receive when they leave the placement. Age group Suggested minimum allowance 5-10 4 11-16 7 16 plus To be negotiated through the Young People s Pathway Plan. These are minimum figures, and it is recommended that carers create incentives by supplementing the weekly allowance with rewards for jobs done and good behaviour, and with extra for special events. 6 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
Carers should encourage young people to apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance for any studies continued after the statutory school leaving age. Emergency payments Placements made in an emergency can be disruptive and, by their nature, can mean that carers need to provide for children immediately, before their weekly payment arrives. In cases where children or young people arrive in an emergency with no clothing, or inadequate clothing, a cash payment of 100 for each child can be made direct to the foster carer. This does not need prior approval from the Children s Area Placement Process (CAPP). This payment is to provide for the immediate needs of the child and does not, for example, include the purchase of school uniform. An additional payment for purchasing school uniform can be requested through CAPP in circumstances where a move has necessitated a change of school, or where the child arrives without school uniform. Where they are made, these emergency payments are additional to the regular weekly payments. The placing social worker and the carer should draw up a list of items to be purchased and the carer should keep the receipts. Christmas and birthday allowances These payments are intended to cover the costs of gifts, entertainment and incidental expenses. Payments are made automatically two weeks in advance, to allow carers to buy gifts. If a child moves placement within those two weeks either the gifts or the allowance will transfer to the new placement. These allowances are age-related, and are based on one week of the weekly rates. Age group New weekly rate Under 109.34 109 2 years 2 4 111.02 111 years 5 10 122.50 122 years 11 15 145.11 140 years 16+ 173.11 164 National minimum weekly rate 2010/11 Where children in placement observe a religious festival other than Christmas, this should be discussed with their social worker. The allowance will still be paid before Christmas, and carers and social workers should agree when it is most appropriately spent. Holiday allowances Holiday opportunities for children and young people in care should be made available and discussed with the child s social worker and fostering supervising social worker and agreed as part of the Care Plan. For example, where children accompany foster carers on holiday the carer will receive the holiday allowance. The holiday allowance will also be paid to carers taking holidays which are at home and day trips. If the foster carer is not providing a holiday or at home and day trips, the holiday allowance may be used to pay for a holiday experience elsewhere. For example, a school trip abroad or residential holiday. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 7
These payments are age-related and are based on two weeks of the weekly rate. Payments will not be made automatically, but will have to be claimed by foster carers at the appropriate time. Holiday allowances are paid once a year for each child. Where children move placement during the year and the first carer has already received the holiday allowance, any payment to the second carer will be at the discretion of the Children s Area Placement Process (CAPP), taking into account the child s needs. No additional discretionary holiday allowances will be paid. Age group New rate Under 2 years 218.68 2 4 years 222.04 5 10 years 245.00 11 15 years 290.22 16+ 346.22 Personal Education Allowance (PEA) A Personal Education Allowance is an allowance of up to 500 for each child in care to Devon County Council each year who are at risk of not reaching the expected National Standards of Attainment and have been identified as eligible for additional support. The aim of a PEA is to: prevent children in care from falling behind other children in their education if they are already behind, to help them catch up support better prevention and early intervention. The PEA is intended to support the wide-ranging learning needs of children in care and give them access to additional learning and development activities which have been identified in their Personal Education Plan (PEP). This could include various extra-curricular activities or support from personal tutors. The PEA is not intended to replace, duplicate or substitute the services or support that Devon County Council, schools, carers or other practitioners already provide, for example: buying computers or equipment as there is an alternative DCC scheme to purchase IT equipment the support set out in a Statement of Special Educational Needs or in School Action or School Action Plus buying basic equipment that a child need for school, school uniform or equipment for physical education lessons as this money is included in the carer s allowance paying for trips and visits organised by the school as part of the curriculum, for example, for day trips that are essential to the curriculum paying for alternative education for children in care on a fixed term or permanent exclusion funding equipment, such as bikes or camping equipment. The child s social worker, or a member of staff in the education setting, needs to make a bid for a PEA which supports the objectives and outcomes agreed in the PEP after the planning meeting. Forms and further information can be found at www.devon.gov.uk/j4s-formeducation All bids will be considered and agreed by the Children in Care Co-ordinator. 8 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
Additional costs Costs for children s personal needs and activities are included in the weekly allowance. If children are undertaking expensive activities, additional money may be identified through access to other funding, such as the PEA if related to a child s learning needs, or various charities. Please discuss this with the child s social worker or fostering supervising social worker. Costs of up to 75 can be claimed as an additional contribution for young people in care to attend their prom or leaving party to celebrate the end of their GCSE year. Children and Young People s Services has purchased an all risks and malicious damage insurance policy for foster carers. This provides cover for the carer s property, and property belonging to members of their family permanently living with them. Carers need to demonstrate that their own household insurance does not cover the loss before making a claim. Vehicles are not covered by this policy. Cover is for loss or damage caused by a foster child. A claim form is available through the child s social worker s team. The policy excess is paid by the child s social worker s team. This policy excludes fire damage caused by a foster child who has a history of arson. Separate cover would need to be sought through the placing social worker for such circumstances. Claims need to be submitted immediately after an incident. Any claim made more than 30 days after cannot be considered by the insurers. Carers are advised to keep the damaged article, or photographic evidence where this is not possible, until the claim has been processed. Please refer to Appendix 3: Summary of insurance cover for foster carers provided by DCC and arranged by Standard Securities. In addition, Devon County Council s Public Liability insurance policy provides cover for injuries to children in placement where the injury has been caused due to the carer s negligence. The policy also covers damage caused by the children to property belonging to members of the public. However, it does not cover damage caused by the children to the carer s own property. Any claims for injuries caused as a result of travel in a motor vehicle should be referred to the carer s own motor insurers. The Fostering Network also provides insurance cover to foster carers who have taken up the offer of individual membership, courtesy of DCC. Please refer directly to the Fostering Network for full details of this cover. The Fostering Support Team in each area has a small budget to make discretionary payments and consideration will be given to assisting carers when: carers need specific furniture or equipment to care for a child with special needs carers are being approved to take siblings and may need to buy bunk beds significant additional furniture needs to be bought on approval, or where there is a change of approval equipment is needed to meet Health and Safety standards. Please ask your fostering supervising social worker or fostering practice manager for more details. Fostering support teams also have equipment which can be loaned to foster carers as required. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 9
Costs incurred on behalf of CYPS Hospitality costs for prospective foster or adoptive parents We recognise that it is not always possible to accurately cost any additional meals on introductory visits by prospective adopters and foster carers - especially when they are taken as part of the foster family s normal meals. Here is a guide. For overnight stays use local B&B rate to a maximum of 25 per person. For an evening meal or main meal there is a maximum of 7 per person. For snacks the maximum is 3 per person. For trips out there is the reimbursement of entrance fee, plus childcare costs at day care rates, see below. Receipts will be required wherever possible. Day care and evening babysitting rates Recommended day care payments are 3.50 per hour per child - to be agreed in advance between the carer and CYPS. This is to cover day care expenses when the carer is asked to undertake tasks by CYPS. Evening babysitting, where needed to allow carers to attend support groups for example, can be claimed at 3.50 per hour (not per child) to a maximum of 21 per evening. This is to be claimed against the youngest child in placement and claims are to be agreed in advance between the carer and CYPS. To claim for childminding a PUMA V form is to be completed and the receipt from the childcare provider attached. Receipts for babysitting, completed PUMA V forms for childminding and any mileage claims need to be sent to the relevant Finance Clerk for processing. Payments to child minders who look after children overnight These will be paid at weekly allowance rates, pro rata for each day or part day of the placement. The child minder must be registered for overnight stays. Transport Carers can now claim all allowable transport costs associated with the child. This is a change from previous years, where CYPS made certain deductions from the cost of transport. It is expected that wherever possible and appropriate, carers will be responsible for the transport of children in placement. Where a child travels by taxi, please see the new arrangements detailed in Appendix 4 page 41. All car and bus journeys made solely on behalf of the foster child must be detailed on the claim form, which is submitted monthly to the child s social worker. Allowable costs include journeys: to school or college, unless a significant distance is involved, then transport arrangements will either be negotiated with carers or provided by CYPS to doctors, dentists, hospitals and other therapeutic clinics to make contact with family members and others, as negotiated with carers and detailed in the Care Plan in connection with the potential placement of a child. CYPS will also meet the transport costs through the relevant Finance Clerk for carers attending: CYPS meetings, including support groups court training events. 10 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
The Fostering Service expects that carers will involve young people in their care in the normal activities of everyday family life - such as trips to the beach and weekend outings. These are not regarded as being costs associated solely with the child. However, transport costs can be claimed where activities have been previously agreed with the social worker, or form part of the child s Care Plan. Carers using their own cars Please note there is a change in the deadline for mileage claims. All the mileage outlined above must be claimed each month on the Voluntary Driver Form PUMA V clearly stating the meeting or type of training attended to make sure costs are taken from the correct budget. All claims made outside of a three month period will not be refunded - this is in line with all DCC employees making travelling claims. The rate for mileage will be at the current Devon County Council rate. Carers will be kept informed of the current rate through the Fostering Newsletter. Special journeys, for example those going out of county, need to be agreed as part of the planning and review process. The out of county mileage rate is the same as the Devon County Council rate for out of county travel. Please note: if you are looking after two or more children of different ages, related or not, and taking them on the same journey please claim one trip for the youngest child it is the carer s responsibility to make sure their vehicle has valid insurance which includes transporting foster children, MOT and road fund licence documents, and is in good working order. Carers using public transport All bus tickets for a child should be submitted each month. If a carer is accompanying the child on a bus journey, the carer should submit their ticket as well. A bus pass for the young person should be considered if bus travel would be an appropriate and cost-effective alternative to transport by the carer. The full cost of a bus pass for school or college will be reimbursed. Where there is a delay in issuing a pass, carers will be reimbursed in full on submission of bus tickets for school journeys. If you use a car and public transport please claim all costs. Transport costs excluding mileage Rear seat belts At the approval stage, carers cars must be equipped with rear seat belts. If your vehicle is fitted with anything other than standard manufacturers belts, please discuss the situation with your fostering supervising social worker. Child safety restraints If a child has special needs, for example disabilities, then additional safety restraints appropriate to the child should be provided at the expense of CYPS. Safety restraints purchased by CYPS remain our property. If the carer stops caring for children with special needs, the child safety restraints must be returned. If removal and return of restraints is impractical, please discuss this matter with the child s social worker. Guidance on child seat and seat belt laws The law requires all children to be carried in an appropriate child restraint from birth until either they are 135 cm (4 5 ) tall, or have reached the age of 12. They must then use a seat belt and it Foster Care Rates and Allowances 11
would be preferable to use a booster seat until they are 150 cm (5 ) tall. Children under three years must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in the front or rear of a car. They cannot be carried in a car that does not have seat belts, because it will not be possible to fit a child restraint. Children aged 3 11 years and under 1.35m (4 5 ) tall must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in the front seat of a car, and when travelling in the rear of a car if seat belts are fitted. It is the driver s responsibility to make sure that all children use an appropriate child restraint or wear their seat belt. Carers are expected to provide suitable child safety seats. If the purchase causes hardship, please discuss the situation with your fostering supervising social worker before any child needing a seat is placed with you. Carers who use a motorcycle as their means of transport must seek advice and permission from the child s social worker and their fostering supervising social worker before transporting any child in placement. Assistance to foster carers with purchasing vehicles or adapting property The CYPS Grant Programme contains a small allocation for contributing towards the purchase of a vehicle to help you care for foster children. The contribution towards vehicle purchase covers the requirements for a specialist vehicle - or instances where a vehicle is needed to transport children placed with a family, and the family would not otherwise need a vehicle, or would not need a multi-seat vehicle. Financial assistance to adapt a vehicle, or a contribution towards vehicle purchase, is not an automatic right for a foster carer. Assistance is only given after an assessment of the child s specific needs, or to meet essential Health and Safety standards where foster carers cannot make alternative arrangements. These requests are considered twice a year, in March and September, at the Fostering Management Group Meetings providing sufficient funds are available. Except in exceptional circumstances, carers will be expected to contribute to the purchase of vehicles and adaptations. Where property adaptations or extensions are funded, loans will cover structural alterations only. Furniture and fittings are not included. Foster carers looking for assistance should talk to their fostering supervising social worker who will consult with their practice manager, before providing them with detailed information on the Capital Programme funding, and the relevant application forms. Membership of the Fostering Network Mainstream, Kinship, Family Care Workers Scheme, Remand, Concurrency and Young People s Accommodation Service foster carers will be invited to join the Fostering Network paid for by CYPS. Retainers The weekly rate paid to carers where a child is temporarily absent from the foster home is the standard weekly rate (see page 5) with the following exceptions. Children in hospital Normal payments will be made for the first four weeks. Anything spent on comforts for the child, and travel to and from hospital, is to be met from these allowances. After four weeks, all allowances will be reduced by 50%. Carers Progression Scheme payments will continue at the full rate if the placement is to continue, providing that the carer is continuing to support the child while they are in hospital. 12 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
In exceptional circumstances, for example life-threatening illness, the situation should be reviewed before the end of four weeks hospitalisation and discretion used as to whether to reduce the allowances. Children on holiday Normal allowances will be paid for up to four weeks. Children attending boarding school or residential college Foster carers who offer a long-term placement, and are regularly available for a child attending a boarding school, will receive retainers while the child is away at school. They are calculated as: where a child is a termly boarder, and is with the carers for the school holidays only, the retainer will be 25% of the normal allowance, plus 25% of the Carers Progression Scheme payment. Carers should seek independent tax advice about the CPS element information is available from the Fostering Network s Fosterline on 0800 040 7675, or from your local tax office, see page 30 where the child is with carers every weekend and school holidays, the retainer in the child s absence will be 50% of the normal allowance, plus 50% of Carers Progression Scheme payment. Carers should seek independent tax advice, see page 30. In addition to these retainers, pocket money allowances will also be paid to the child at boarding school. Full allowances are payable while a child is with the carers. Children who abscond Retaining fees will be paid on the same basis as for children in hospital. Payments for retaining foster carers when a child is placed at home with parents or others with parental responsibility Where a placement with foster carers needs to be retained as part of the Care Plan, all allowances will continue to be paid for the first seven days. After this, if the placement needs to be retained for a longer period, subject to agreement from CAPP and the carers, the Carers Progression Scheme payment will be paid at the full rate as well as 25% of the child s boarding out allowance. Approved places being held by CYPS Where carers are approved for more than one placement, but one is not being used at the request of CYPS because of the needs of a child already placed there, a discretionary payment can be made. Any request for such a payment should be made to the appropriate Children s Area Placement Process (CAPP). When a placement is retained with agreement from an Operations Manager or CAPP The carer is to be paid at full rate (weekly allowance and relevant progression level) for first seven days, then will be paid a retainer of 25% of the weekly allowance and relevant progression level for no more than one month. When a young person is remanded in Her Majesty s Prison (HMP) Agreement to retain a placement needs to be sought on a case by case basis through CAPP. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 13
Shared care placements There are a small number of placements where foster carers are providing shared care arrangements often these are shared with a parent or grandparent. Such placements may involve three to four days each week at the carer s house. The principles to be adopted are: full allowances and relevant CPS payments will be made to the foster carer while the child is in placement where the child is with the carers on average three full days or over of any week, then 50% of the weekly allowances and 50% of the CPS payment is due. Carers should seek independent tax advice, see page 30. Extended rehabilitation Where a rehabilitation plan is phased over a period of months, and the child is still living with the foster family but spending increasing periods of time with their birth family, full weekly allowance and CPS payments will be made for the first two months. For rehabilitation plans extending over two months, the principle is that foster carers are not penalised for keeping a placement open. So full CPS rates are paid throughout the rehabilitation period, and a percentage of the weekly allowance reducing to 50% for months three to six, on days when the child is not in placement. For longer periods, agreement should be made at Care Planning meetings. Children with special needs The child s social worker should make sure that any relevant disability allowances are claimed. Carers are expected to be able to evidence how the allowances are being used to benefit the child. In situations where special furniture, equipment, or car safety restraints are assessed as being necessary to care for the child, CYPS should supply these. Parent and child placements Devon County Council will pay at two different rates, depending on the type of placement. If there is a dispute, the Children s Area Placement Process (CAPP) will adjudicate on the placement type. Type A - parent and child assessment placements Criteria Usually the legal position is one of an Interim Care Order. The child is believed to be unsafe at home. The parent is believed to be unable to provide safe care, even with daytime services. Separation would undermine the need to gather assessment evidence of parenting. The parents may be unco-operative. The foster carer is likely to be expected to provide assessment and detailed reports to courts. These are placements considered as a direct alternative to residential parenting placements. Payments Basic weekly allowance at the appropriate level for the child s age. Basic weekly allowance at 16+ level for each of the parents in placement, or at the appropriate level if under 16. 14 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
CPS payments regardless of whether the carer is Tier 1 or 2 one for the child, plus one for each parent in the placement. The increased payment for carers reflects the skills required to manage the complexity of this type of placement. Type B - parent and child support placements Criteria The parent is in need of support, advice and assistance to provide safe care. There is a need for observation and assessment. The parent is likely to be co-operative with the plan. Payments Basic weekly allowance at the appropriate level for the child s age. Basic weekly allowance at 16+ level for each of the parents in placement, or at the appropriate level if under 16. Current CPS payments for the particular carer one for the child, plus one for each parent in placement. There is an expectation, that where parents are over 16 years old and either receiving benefits or eligible for benefits, they will maintain full financial responsibility, and provide for their own, and their baby s needs while in placement. This includes food, clothing and nappies. Financial arrangements need to be clearly agreed at the pre-placement planning meeting. No deductions will be made from the Foster Carer Allowances. For both Type A and Type B placements a Christmas and birthday allowance will be paid for the child only, unless the parent is also a child in care. Holiday allowance for the child is paid at the discretion of CAPP. Special fostering payments Since the Local Government Review in 1998 agreement has been reached between Plymouth, Torbay and Devon County Council about rates. The agreement is that the authority placing a child will pay the rates of the carer s home authority. For example, if a Torbay child was placed with Devon carers, Torbay would pay Devon rates. This agreement also includes the payment of any special fostering rates. School meals Children in foster care are not entitled to free school meals, even if they were receiving them while living at home. Even if foster carers are receiving benefits which entitle their own children to free school meals, those for foster children must be paid for from the weekly allowance. Contact Where the care planning allows, it is expected that foster carers will allow up to two contacts a week (maximum three hours per session) in their own home and, if appropriate, to supervise them. Where there are multiple placements, or where the carer s own family s requirements need to be considered, then the placing social worker will agree with foster carers the maximum amount of contact that can take place in the foster home without undermining ordinary family life and routines. For carers who are willing to facilitate formally supervised contact, either in their home or at an agreed venue, in addition to the 2 sessions per week we expect carers to provide additional payments can be made with the agreement of CAPP. Carers can also offer to supervise additional contact for children not placed with them. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 15
The payment rate in respect of this additional supervised contact will be at scp 20 (currently 9.56 per hour). Carers wishing to offer this service need to inform their supervising social worker and will be provided with training in how to supervise and record these contact sessions. Sibling contact, where only the foster carers, are involved will be excluded from additional payments as we expect carers to facilitate this for CiC placed with them. Respite Respite breaks have an important role to: maintain a child in their own family environment support and maintain complex placements as part of an agreed placement or Care Plan assist carers in maintaining placements when emergencies or unforeseen circumstances arise, for example the illness of a carer or member of their family; or the need for a break if the situation in the carer s home becomes critical due to the deterioration of a child s situation. Respite breaks for children normally living at home with their family The respite carer receives both the weekly allowance, and the appropriate Carers Progression Scheme payment pro rata. Respite arrangements to support placements Any such arrangements must be detailed in the child s placement or Care Plan, and reviewed and amended regularly as part of the care planning process and agreed at CAPP. The respite carer receives the weekly allowance for the child and the appropriate Carers Progression Scheme payment pro rata. The primary carer keeps the weekly allowance for the duration of the respite, but loses the CPS payment, excluding the day of departure and the day of return. Any existing respite arrangement will be honoured while the current children remain in placement. This will only change if the placement or Care Plan is altered and respite arrangements are no longer required, or occur at a different frequency. If, for any reason, a respite arrangement is made and then has to be extended due to unforeseen circumstances, for example the unexpected length of illness of a carer or member of their family, then the placement must be reviewed and given to the future funding of the arrangement. Overpayments to foster carers Overpayments are reclaimable, except: where an overpayment is up to, or equal to, one week s allowance and Carers Progression Scheme payment, and has occurred due to the unexpected removal of children where an overpayment is up to, or equal to, three days allowances for any other reason than that mentioned above where the overpayment exceeds three days, the whole amount will be reclaimed, however that overpayment has occurred. Overpaid allowances, however overpayment has occurred, should normally be repaid in full immediately. However it may be possible, in exceptional circumstances, to recover the overpayment by installments at the discretion of the head of service. Carers have a responsibility to notify their locality finance clerk in the event of an over or underpayment, especially if it has not been rectified within two weeks. Foster carers can do this by contacting the appropriate placement co-ordinator. 16 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
Carers subject to allegations If a carer is subject to an allegation that necessitates the removal of the child to allow an investigation, the carer will be entitled to eight weeks payment of the weekly allowance in place at the time of the child s removal. The Carers Progression Scheme payment will cease at the point of removal of the child. If the investigation is not complete within eight weeks, it is at the discretion of the director or the head of service for children in care and care leavers, whether any further payment should be made. Any such carers should first of all be referred to the fostering operations manager. If an allegation is made while the carer is between placements, and so not receiving any allowances, it is at the discretion of the director or head of service for children in care and care leavers service as to whether any payment shall be made. Carers subject to allegations will be entitled to independent support through Foster Talk s, Foster Carers Independent Support Service (FISS). This will be initiated through the respective fostering practice manager who will authorise an initial 10 hours support. Any additional support required will be at the discretion of the fostering operations manager. Additional payments made to carers and young people in care Fees for carers offering training to others are paid at an hourly rate, and include time taken for preparation. Please make claims for the Skills to Foster courses and the information evenings using the PRISM Form 7M and clearly state the title of the group or training attended. Skills to Foster and courses from the post approval training programme 16.40 an hour where carers co-deliver training as a trainer. Contributor. As an experienced foster carer contributing to a Skills to Foster session, payment is 20 for a half day and 40 for a full day As a young person in care contributing to a Skills to Foster session, payment is by 20 voucher for a half day and 40 voucher for a full day. Information evenings 20 per session, which is paid as a voucher to young people in care. For attendance at peer guides, foster carer strategy group and mentoring payment made to foster carers for attending these meetings and carrying out all the duties of their role is 90 per quarter. Babysitting costs incurred as a trainer or contributor to training course of 3.50 per hour per child maximum. To be agreed in advance between the carer and CYPS. Travelling costs (current Voluntary Driver Rate), when contributing to training or information evening mileage paid at current DCC rates. Prospective carers attending the Skills to Foster course, and approved carers attending courses on the Carer Training Programme, are also able to claim travel costs at this rate. Claim forms will be issued at courses. Any other unavoidable costs incurred while contributing to courses may be met at the discretion of the CAPP. This would not include reimbursement of lost earnings. Foster Care Rates and Allowances 17
Working with teenagers and care leavers Payments for care leavers 16 18 years As young people in foster care grow older and begin their teenage years; we are committed to working with them and their foster carers to plan for adult life. In line with government policies, Devon County Council is keen to support young people to remain with their foster carers until the age of 18 years and beyond. This is a gradual process, and each young person matures and develops at a different rate. However, all young people need help in making the transition to adult life as they gradually take on more responsibilities for themselves. The Pathway Plan (the Care Plan for those over 16) identifies the goal for all areas of a young person s life especially their future education, training, employment, social life and financial independence and how we are helping them to prepare for independent living. Young people will be supported to remain with their foster carers and carers will receive a Boarding Out payment for 16 and 17 year olds, plus their carers progression scheme payment. After 18 the young person will no longer be in care, so fostering allowances no longer apply. The majority of young people in care aged 16 years or older now stay in full-time education or training. Young people in this position are not able to claim Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Housing Benefit, but may qualify for Education Maintenance Allowance. If a young person does go out to work full time the carer will continue to receive their Boarding Out payment allowance and Carers Progression Scheme payment. If in full time work after their 16th birthday the young person will be expected to make a financial contribution to their living expenses. This will be agreed according to a set formula based on the young person s income. This payment will be made to Devon County Council there will be no expectation of the carer collecting money direct from the young person. Foster carers working with teenagers will, in consultation with the fostering supervising social worker, young person and their social worker, begin to offer the young person opportunities to manage some of their own finances. Each situation is different, but the guiding principles are: each young person will have a plan which determines how and to what extent they begin to manage their finances. For example, gradually beginning to receive money from their foster carer to plan and cook meals, and to buy clothes. The CD Rom Preparation for Adult Life provides many practical suggestions and advice on how young people can be supported in developing independent living skills plans made for an individual young person will be tailored to individual needs, the lifestyle, and the family expectations of their carers foster carers will receive formal training and assistance in working with young people to develop budgeting and life skills while individual circumstances will vary, CYPS is aiming for consistency in payment arrangements. Care leavers At 15 years 6 months the young person should be introduced to their leaving care worker. The leaving care worker will consult with the carer and fostering supervising social worker, assess the young person s needs as a care leaver and develop the Pathway Plan which will be completed by the young person s 16th birthday. Case responsibility will transfer to the leaving care worker around this point. The Pathway Plan will be reviewed at least every six months. 18 Foster Care Rates and Allowances
This plan should include a gradual development of increased responsibility for the young person in managing their own finances and in developing skills they will need to live a more independent lifestyle, such as cooking and shopping. It is likely that foster carers will work with the young person to enable them to buy some, or all, of their clothes, and to plan food purchases and cooking. This will require the foster carer to give the young person money from their weekly allowance. The recommended weekly payment for a young person to receive from carers is 22. But this is not a prescribed amount it is at a level agreed to meet the needs of the individual young person. It is likely that young people will put this money towards social activities and extra clothing, although the use of the money is flexible. Education and training A young person may be able to receive: an Education Maintenance Grant Allowance of 30 a week a Dowry of up to 200 a year to support them with their Pathway Plan help from CYPS with: registration fees course fees exam fees equipment needed course books activities to do with the course transport to and from the course centre any clothes needed to do the course a Setting Up Grant of up to a 1000 when they are leaving care which can be used for setting up costs. It does not need to be spent in one go but can be used until the young person reaches 21. The young person can also claim for their TV licence and contents insurance for their first year of independent living. Driving lessons (where it is a need identified in their Pathway Plan may also be funded. Care leavers post 18 support The 2008 Children Act states that local authorities should develop a Staying Put policy that allows young people over the age of 18 to remain with their carers. It is recognised that many care leavers, like other young people who live with their parents sometimes until their late 20s, should be able to remain living with their carers if this what they wish or need to do. CYPS shares this ambition and to enable young people to remain with their carers we propose: at the first review of the pathway plans it should be discussed whether it is appropriate for a young person to Stay Put, that is to remain with their carers after their 18th birthday. By having this discussion early and gaining the necessary approval it provides security to the young person and allows them to focus on developing their educational and training plans the criteria for considering whether Staying Put is appropriate for a young person maybe because their 18th birthday falls early in the academic year, or they have started a college course which will last until the following July or longer and they will need the stability of their current placement to support them in completing the course. It may be that the young person needs more time to resolve personal problems or more time to increase their confidence in coping on their own Foster Care Rates and Allowances 19
if the Pathway Plan is to extend, the young person s placement must be agreed with the foster carer, the young person s social worker and the supervising social worker The social worker must then seek agreement from the operations manager for car leavers and the head of service. It must be clear how long the Staying Put period is for and its purpose once a young person reaches 18, they are no longer a child in care and the placement can no longer be classed as a foster placement. The legal basis on which they occupy the property becomes one of an excluded licensee and they are effectively lodging in the carer s home if the young person has enduring health and learning issues they may meet the Adult and Community Services criteria for financial support and help and the arrangements for continuing the placement will fall under this scheme. This is likely only to apply to a few young people who are supported by the Joint Agency Service under the Staying Put arrangements carers will continue to have a fostering supervising social worker as carers remain approved foster carers in line with the requirements of the National Minimum Standards. The carer will provide a similar level of care and the young person will be able to benefit from living in the household and having access to kitchen and laundry facilities the carer will receive a Staying Put allowance of 175 a week. For those young people who are placed with Family Care Workers the rate will be that of a second placement. In exceptional circumstances a higher rate of payment can be considered, but this will need to be agreed by the head of service. Foster carers can only be approved for a maximum of three placements. Any Staying Put placement will count towards that number the financial support available to the young person will change as they are no longer a child in care and they will be able to access, where appropriate, state benefits they will be able to claim Housing Benefit and the monies received will be paid to CYPS and contribute towards the cost of the placement the young person may be entitled to claim Income Support if they are in non-advanced education or a single parent carer; Job Seekers Allowance or the new Employment and Support Allowance if they have a limited capacity to work. From this income, they will be expected to contribute 20 per week toward the cost of their food, heating and lighting. This money will be paid to Devon County Council. If the young person is working and receiving a wage they will also be expected to make a contribution towards their care to comply with the fostering standards and regulations the young person will have to be CRB checked. The fostering service routinely CRB checks all members of a fostering household, including children and young people in care, from the age of 16 years. This will need to be arranged before their 18th birthday if the young person is attending university or has joined the armed forces and it has been agreed that a retainer is to be paid, it is recommended that when they are at home, during holiday time and weekends the carer should receive the full Staying Put allowance of 175 per week. While the young person is at away, a retainer will be paid to carers at 25% of the Staying Put allowance. 20 Foster Care Rates and Allowances