The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document

“BK”) which sets out a discussion of the review of Fostering Allowances at

the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 31 January

2017. 

Prior to the call-in, the matter was considered by the Executive at its meeting

on 10 January 2017.

Recommended –

That Executive confirms the decision previously taken on 10 January

2017, having regard to all the consultation feedback and the documents

attached to Document “BK”.

(Children’s Service Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Assistant Director Children’s Social Care gave a chronology and rationale behind the proposed changes which were detailed in the report, adding that the work undertaken by Foster Carers was truly valued  by the Council and he thanked the carers for their feedback on the proposals.

The Deputy Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee was present at the meeting and stated that the rationale behind the proposed changes to the allowances was flawed and not based on robust evidence, and that the report lacked detail; nor did It address the concerns expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee when the matter was called-in.

In response to a question regarding the levels paid by different authorities, the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stressed that different authorities paid slightly different rates based on differing criteria, however, information on the levels paid were provided to the Scrutiny Committee.  She added that Bradford still paid a higher rate overall to its Foster Carers compared to its West Yorkshire counterparts.

A Wharfedale Councillor was also present at the meeting and stated that this issue transcended politics and that claiming Bradford paid a high rate was not comparing like with like.  That the proposals will not generate the proposed savings and there was a danger that carers will migrate to independent  fostering agencies.  That Calderdale Council was paying more to its Foster Carers and that the proposals would particularly hit carers who looked after teenagers, and she urged the Executive to reconsider its decision.

The Portfolio Holder stressed that she did not want any carers to transfer to an independent fostering agency, however Bradford still paid a higher rate across the board, although she acknowledged that there was a differential rate paid by Leeds to Carers who looked after 16-17 year olds, which accounted for only a small number in Bradford.

A representative from the Bradford Association of Foster Carers and Adoption was present and stated that he had listened intensely to what had been said and that although the matter had gone through due process, it felt that the depth of feeling was not being acknowledged and the proposals would be voted through in any case.  He added that Foster Carers had already been penalised with the previous decision to cut their allowances, however the current proposals would impact on the very children the Council should be supporting and he urged Members to reconsider their previous decision.

A representative from the GMB union was present and stated that Calderdale Council paid an enhanced rate to its carers and that Foster Carers in Bradford were underpaid, and that there had been no meaningful consultation on the proposals.

The Portfolio Holder stressed that in revising the allowances,  all the Council was effectively doing was bringing them in line with Government minimum allowances, however the proposals would be phased in over a 2 year period from April 2017. In doing so it further aligned the rate with all other care arrangements, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

That Executive confirms the decision previously taken on 10

January 2017, having regard to all the consultation feedback and

the documents attached to Document “BK”.

ACTION:  Strategic Director Children’s Services

(Children’s Service Overview and Scrutiny Committee)