Cabinet:

AGREED to increase both the support and the financial incentives provided to ‘in-house’ carers in order to increase retention of our in-house foster carers by:

a.    Increasing the financial allowances as set out in Appendix 1  one of the report and improve a comprehensive wrap-around support package as covered in this report;

b.    Approving Havering resident foster carers as a class subject to Council Tax Relief from 1 April 2021.

c.     Approving the amendment to the Council Tax Discretionary Policy to include Havering foster carers with effect from 1 April 2021

d.    Providing complimentary access to the borough’s leisure centres for in-house carers and children in their care;

e.    Waiving free green bin refuse collection charges; and

f.      Offering free parking in resident bays and council carparks borough-wide, this will not include paid for parking bays.

Cabinet considered the report and noted that as corporate parents it is the ambition of members and the Council to recruit and retain the best foster carers to provide the best possible care for the Looked After children in Havering.

This decision proposes to improve our offer to prospective  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5