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 and existing carers, by increasing some specific allowances to “in-house” foster carers, in addition to providing additional benefits such as council tax exemption, complimentary access to leisure facilities at borough leisure centres, free parking and free green bin collections for all in-house carers.

In spite of concerted efforts to recruit and retain, the Borough is no longer competitive as a destination for potential carers at levels 1-3. Many new carers come via word of mouth and feedback from the Havering Foster Carers Association is that our offer is no longer preferable to other boroughs and the independent sector.  The Borough is not unique in this challenge; Ofsted published a national report in November 2020 noting that recruitment of in-house carers was a significant difficulty for all the local authorities and agencies used in their study. The shortage of suitable carers was the most significant barrier to making a good match with the child and ultimately a successful caring place for them.

The proposals were discussed and welcomed to fulfil the ambition to attract the very best carers for the LAC of the Borough.  The Leader indicated this as firm intention now and for the future and all Group Leaders shared this ambition and agreed the recommendations.

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.