Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Director of Social Services.

It was resolved to approve the uplift to the Foster Carers Core Offer as outlined to include an inflationary increase in fostering allowances for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s recommended increase in the National Minimum Allowance which is to be confirmed (modelled at 5%), a restructuring of the fostering skills payments from 5 tiers to 3 tiers and an increase in the Council Tax discount from 50% to 100%.

The report of the Director of Social Services which sought the Executive’s approval for an uplift to the foster carers core offer was presented for consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Nicola Roberts, Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change on behalf of Councillor Dyfed Wyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Children, Young People and Families who had submitted an apology for absence due to another meeting commitment. She explained that the uplift proposal includes increasing fostering allowances for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s recommended increase to the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) (as the NMA has yet to be confirmed by Welsh Government a 5% inflationary increase has been modelled and is provided for in the 2025/26 budget), restructuring the fostering skills payments from 5 tiers to 3 tiers and increasing the Council Tax discount from 50% to 100%. Details of fostering and skills allowances trends over the past four years were set out in the report along with the proposed new skills allowances and costs. The additional cost equates to seven new independent fostering placements transferring inhouse which the service regards as achievable. Councillor Nicola Roberts highlighted that Anglesey is only the second local authority to offer 100% Council Tax reduction for foster carers and was the first local authority to offer a benefits package for foster carers which has proved popular with such incentives deemed essential to recruit and retain foster carers and to show appreciation for their efforts.

The Director of Social Services advised that the proposal aligns with Welsh Government’s legislation to remove profit from children’s care including fostering in two years. From then on care will only be provided by non-profit organisations including local authorities. To prepare for the change, the Council needs to increase its internal pool of foster carers and the proposal if approved will contribute to meeting this need. Plans are in place to advertise for new foster carers and those wishing to transfer from the private sector, ensuring prompt assessment of applications.

The Executive in acknowledging the important contribution of Anglesey foster carers in offering care and support to children during challenging periods in their lives also highlighted that the proposal is designed as an invest to save initiative and aims to ensure long term cost-efficiency and the effective use of resources.

It was resolved to approve the uplift to the Foster Carers Core Offer as outlined to include an inflationary increase in fostering allowances for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s recommended increase in the National Minimum Allowance which is to be confirmed (modelled at 5%), a restructuring of the fostering skills payments from 5 tiers to 3 tiers and an increase in the Council Tax discount from 50% to 100%.