The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing submitted a report, that provided Cabinet with details of the updated Fostering Allowances Policy.

She advised that in March 2022 Bridgend County Borough Council’s Fostering Services brought their new Fostering Financial Policy to Cabinet for approval, with approval also sought to delegate authority to the Head of Children’s Social Care to implement the new policy.

During the implementation phase of the policy an administrative error was identified as reflected in paragraph 3.2 relating to Fostering Allowances. These discrepancies were highlighted in yellow in this section of the report.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained, that despite the above, no Foster Carer received an erroneous amount and the Policy was amended to include the correct financial information as set out in the report.

She proceeded to advise, that in July 2022 the Fostering Financial Policy was further updated to change the rates of allowance (following agreement at Cabinet) to award a 7% increase to the allowances paid to all Bridgend Foster Carers (which would be backdated to April 2022 and apply to the 2022/23 financial year) and the introduction of 2 weeks paid respite for all Foster Wales Bridgend Foster Carers.

Finally, the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing stated that the 7% increase to Foster Care Allowances agreed by Cabinet in July 2022 has now been paid to Foster Carers, adding that the administrative error in the Policy was amended during the implementation period.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that Fostering in Bridgend was of a very high standard and she was really pleased to say that ‘Becky and Pete’ Foster Carers, had recently won an Excellence Award earlier this year.

She added that with an increase in Looked After Children, we needed more foster carers to come forward to support these young people.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that there had been an interest in the form of enquiries for foster caring, following a recent successful advertising campaign.

RESOLVED:                              (1)      That Cabinet noted that the error in the Fostering Allowances Policy as set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report was amended and has been implemented.

                                                   (2) That Cabinet further noted that the    Policy has been further amended for 2022/23 to include the 7% increase to Foster Care Allowances agreed by Cabinet in July 2022.