Further to WAQ75477, will the Cabinet Secretary outline when the Welsh Government will be able to issue guidance to local authorities on paying kinship carers a family placement fee?
We are working with our local government and other partners through the National Fostering Framework Strategic Steering Group on an all-Wales approach to fees and allowances for mainstream and kinship foster carers. The aim is to harmonise fees and allowances, to ensure that foster carers across Wales are treated fairly when it comes to financial and other support. Mapping of local authority fees and allowances for mainstream foster carers was undertaken during 2016-17, and I am expecting a follow up report with recommendations by the end of March. A similar mapping exercise for kinship care fees and allowances (and allowances to special guardians) is currently being undertaken, and this data will also be available in March. Further work to develop an all-Wales approach will then be undertaken within the context of the National Fostering Framework during 2018-19, in consultation with all relevant partners. This will include consideration of different models and approaches, and the need to develop further policies and guidance for local authorities.