Agenda item

That the following changes be made to the Family Placement Allowance Scheme:

(a)  That the maximum allowance payable to be the same as for Adoption and Residence Order Allowances.

(b)  That any annual up-rating to be consistent with the up-rating of fostering allowances and to form the basis for the required means test.

(c)  That all allowances that have been in place since 1st April 2012 be adjusted to the current Fostering Network rate.

The Strategic Director of Wellbeing introduced a report which proposed changes to the Slough Special Guardian’s Allowance policy.

It was proposed that the policy be amended to make the Special Guardianship Allowance the same as for Adoption and Residence Order Allowances and that they be subject to the same up-rating as fostering allowances.  Commissioners were informed that the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) had investigated a complaint on these matters and their recommendations had led to a review led by the Family Placement Service who were proposing the changes to the policy as detailed in Appendix A to the report.  The proposal would result in additional costs of c. £14,000 which would be met from existing budgets.  The Cabinet agreed the proposed changes to ensure the allowances met the LGOs recommendations and were equitable for those people supporting children in Slough.

Resolved –  That the following changes be made to the Special Guardianship Allowance Policy:

(a)  That the maximum allowance payable to be the same as for Adoption and Residence Order Allowances.

(b)  That any annual up-rating to be consistent with the up-rating of fostering allowances and to form the basis for the required means test.

(c)  That all allowances that have been in place since 1st April 2012 be adjusted to the current Fostering Network rate.