The County Council faces an ever-increasing demand for the availability of high quality placements for children who are looked after. Despite an increase in the approval of new foster carers in the last two years, it is recognised that further work is required to improve the recruitment and retention of foster carers.
Therefore it is proposed to modify the current in-house foster carer allowance scheme to enable the Council to attract and increase in-house foster carer provision. By modifying the current allowance scheme, it will:
· attract more carers to foster for the Council
· increase in-house provision to enable more children to be placed locally
· expand in-house provision to provide multiple placements to support siblings
· reduce the level of reliance on independent fostering agencies
· drive better value for money
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 04/01/2021
Decision due: March 2021 by Executive Director Children, Young People and Learning
Lead member: Lucy Butler, Director of Children, Young People and Learning lucy.butler@westsussex.gov.uk
Lead director: Lucy Butler
Contact: Jo Collins, Service Development Lead Email: jo.collins@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 22153.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Executive Director Children, Young People and Learning via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
United Foster Carers Association (West Sussex)
Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553
Background3: Best Start in Life