HC Deb 30 April 1980 vol 983 cc504-19W
36. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the levels of boarding-out allowances for foster children and publish in the Official Report the most recent information he has about boarding-out allowances paid by each local authority in England and Wales, for children of varying ages.

Sir George Young

The local authority associations issued guidance to local social services authorities in 1978 designed at achieving greater uniformity in boarding out scales by encouraging authorities to work towards common age bands and age relativities. They followed this up with a survey last year of the boarding out scales paid by each authority in England and Wales. The results are as follows:

TABLE 1—PART ONE
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COUNCILS
Rate paid for age under
County Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Comment.
Avon … … 28 29 32 35 38 46 (1)
Bedfordshire … … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68
Berkshire … … 11.69 14.28 16.24 17.50 20.86
Buckinghamshire … … 11.97 13.58 15.61 17.43 19.67
Cambridgeshire … … 8.73 9.54 10.34 10.99 11.93 12.85 14.65 17.02 17.95 18.91 (2)
Cheshire … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.50 (3)
Cleveland … … 13.58 17.01 19.25
Clwyd … … 12.46 13.79 15.82 17.29 19.67 (4)
Cornwall … … 10.50 12.81 14.56 16.66 18.45
Cumbria … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56
Derbyshire … … 11.80 13.30 14.32 15.43 17.48 18.79 20.16 21.65
Devon … … 9.31 12.18 15.33 19.04
Dorset … … 11.62 13.72 15.54 18.27 19.88
Durham … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 (5)
Dyfed … … 13.37 14.70 16.73 18.20 20.58 (7)
East Sussex … … 11.55 13.51 14.84 16.03 17.36 20.58 (6)
Essex … … 12.18 14.14 15.54 16.80 18.20 18.55 21.63 22.19
Gloucestershire … … 10.36 12.04 12.39 12.81 14.00 15.54 16.17 16.59 17.29 17.50 (8)
Gwent … … 12.51 13.78 15.83 17.32 19.69 (9)
Gwynedd
Hampshire … … 10.99 12.81 14.00 15.26 17.08 20.16
Hereford and Worcester … 11.48 12.81 14.14 16.17 17.71 18.83 19.88 21.00
Hertfortshire … … 10.47 11.91 12.91 14.42 15.96 18.06
Humberside … … 9.60 10.90 14.50 16.90 19.60
Isle of Wight … … 10.15 10.36 11.69 11.90 12.60 13.86 14.56 15.82 16.45 17.01 17.99
Kent … … 13.00 14.00 15.50 17.50 19.00 20.00 22.50 23.50
Lancashire … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 (11)
Leicester … … 10.90 12.70 13.95 15.19 17.15 19.40
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COUNCILS (Continued)
Rate paid for age under
County Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Comment.
Lincolnshire … … 13.14 13.41 15.50 16.33 19.10 19.52 23.71 25.51
Mid Glamorgan … … 13.37 14.70 16.73 18.20 20.58 (12)
Norfolk … … 11.83 13.78 15.11 16.41 17.06 17.72 18.37 20.99 (13)
Northamptonshire … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68
Northumberland … … 16.03 19.46 21.70
North Yorkshire … … 9.55 10.90 12.75 14.85 17.25 (14)
Nottinghamshire … … 11.50 13.90 16.20 18.90 21.30
Oxfordshire … … 11.20 13.20 14.55 15.90 17.25 20.55 (15)
Powys … … 13.37 14.70 16.73 18.20 20.58 (16)
Salop … … 10.08 12.32 14.00 15.12 17.92 (17)
Somerset … … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68 (18)
South Glamorgan … 13.37 14.70 16.73 18.20 20.58 (19)
Staffordshire … … 10.78 13.16 14.98 16.80 19.18 (20)
Suffolk … … 11.08 13.71 16.28 18.01 21.48
Surrey … … 12.15 15.30 17.30 18.70 22.20
Warwickshire … … 12.76 15.60 17.72 19.14 22.68
West Glamorgan … … 13.37 14.70 16.73 18.20 20.58
West Sussex … … 12.46 14.49 15.89 17.15 18.62 22.05
Wiltshire … … 10.90 12.75 13.95 15.15 16.40 19.60
Comments
(1) Fortnightly payments.
(2) Basic rate excludes clothing allowance.
(3) Following recommendation of CRPC (November)-phased.
(4) Follows recommendation of CRCP (Wales).
(5) Agebands and relatives under review in CRO.
(6) Policy to work towards NFCA rates and relativity.
(7) NFCA rates.
(8) Policy to work towards ACC relativities.
(9) Follows recommendation of CRCP (Wales).
(11) Policy move to ACC relativities over 3 years.
(12) Follows recommendations CRPC (Wales) move to ACC relativities 1980–81.
(13) Rates and relativities based on local survey.
(14) Wef 12.11.79 new rates 11.10/12.70/14.85 17.35/20.20.
(15) Special adolescents scheme.
(16) Follows recommendations of CRPC (Wales).
(17) Rates are at 1978 levels.
(18) Rates supplied are for 1980.
(19) Follows recommendations of CRPC (Wales).
(20) ACC relativities within financial limits.
TABLE 1—PART TWO
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COUNCILS
County name Additional payments made in respect of ACC agebands ACC relativities Additional elements included in allowances Frequency of review Last review
4 5 6 7 8 9
Avon … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — — — Annually … 23 October 1979
Bedfordshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, retaining fees, extraneous expenses — √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
Berkshire … … 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 √ √ a, b Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Buckinghamshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, travelling √ — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Cambridgeshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, retaining fees — — — Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Cheshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, day care fostering, family placement — — — Annually … 29 March 1979
Cleveland … … 3, 5, 6 — — a, b, c, d Annually … 1 April 1979
Clwyd … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 √ — — Six monthly … 7 October 1979
Cornwall … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 √ √ — Six monthly … 11 October 1979
Cumbria … … 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, tools and protective clothing, gift on discharge. — — a, b Annually … 26 March 1979
Derbyshire … … 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, special experimental scheme for boarding — — — Six monthly … 28 September 1979
Devon … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ssecial placements — — — Six monthly … 23 September 1979
Dorset … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, special fostering project √ √ — Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Durham … … 6 — — a, b, c, d Annually … 1 April 1979
Dyfed … … 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 √ √ from 1980–81 a, b Six monthly … 1 October 1979
East Sussex … … 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, secure placements, retaining fees — — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Essex … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, London fringe allowance, initial placement. — — — Annually … 27 September 1979
Gloucestershire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, old age pensioners and widows — — — Six monthly … 8 April 1979
Gwent … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 √ — — Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Gwynedd … … — — — — — … —
Hampshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 — √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
Hereford and Worcester … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, exceptional circumstances — — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Hertfordshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 — √ — Annually … October 1978
Humberside … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, promotion of independence √ — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Isle of Wight … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, special circumstances — — — Annually … 4 October 1979
Kent … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 — — — Annually … 1 October 1979
Lancashire … … 3, 4, 6, 7, specialised fostering — — a, b Annually … 1 April 1979
Leicestershire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 — √ — Six monthly … 1 April 1979
Lincolnshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 — — — Six monthly … 7 October 1979
Mid Glamorgan … … 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, special fostering √ √ from 1980–81 a, b, holiday allowances Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Norfolk … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 — — — Annually … 14 January 1979
Northamptonshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, exceptional circumstances — √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
County name Additional payments made in respect of ACC agebands ACC relativities Additional elements included in allowances Frequency of review Last review
4 5 6 7 8 9
Northumberland … … 3, 4, 5, 6, pocket money working child — — a, b Annually … 1 April 1979
North Yorkshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 √ √ — Annually … 13 November 1978
Nottinghamshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 — — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Oxfordshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, retaining fees — √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
Powys … … 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 √ — a, b Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Salop … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 √ √ — Six monthly … 1 October 1978
Somerset … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 — √ — Annually … 1 January 1980
South Glamorgan … … 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, special equipment √ — a, b Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Staffordshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 √ √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
Suffolk … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 √ — — Annually … 1 April 1979
Surrey … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, exceptional costs, limited enhanced payments scheme. — √ — Annually … 1 April 1979
Warwickshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, changing school allowance — — — Annually … 1 April 1979
West Glamorgan … … 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, speci a foster parents scheme √ — a, b, annual holiday Six monthly … 1 October 1979
West Sussex … … 1, 2, 6 – — — — Six monthly … 1 July 1979
Wiltshire … … 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, day fostering scheme — √ — Six monthly … 1 October 1979
Notes:
All payments are weekly unless otherwise specified.
The rates are those paid on 1 October 1979 although some counties have supplied rates for a different date.
Column 4:
1. Christmas allowance.
2. Birthday allowance.
3. School uniform.
4. Initial clothing.
5. Starting work allowance.
6. Special difficulty allowances of various types.
7. Holiday allowance.
8. Multiple placements allowance.
9. Short term placements allowance.
10. Professional fostering allowances.
11. Allowances for child's special interest, aptitude or tuition.
Column 7:
a. Christmas allowance.
b. Birthday allowance.
c. School uniform.
d. Initial clothing.
The allowances referred to in columns 4 and 7 are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of what counties pay by way of additional allowances, but only to give a general indication. Its accuracy should not therefore be relied upon.

TABLE 2
ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN AUTHORITIES
BOARDING OUT—WEEKLY PAYMENTS
Type "A" Authorities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Age [in years] 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Relativities Other additional payments LA code number
£ £ £ £ £
Barking … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 1
Barnet … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 2
Barnsley … … … … 9.60 10.90 14.50 16.90 19.60 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 3
Bexley … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W S, O 4
Bradford … … … … 9.60 10.90 14.50 16.90 19.60 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 7
Brent … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 8
Bromley … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 9
Calderdale … … … … 9.59 10.92 12.74 14.84 17.29 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 11
Camden … … … … 16.30 19.90 22.60 24.40 29.20 Yes X, B, C, U, S, O 12
Croydon … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 14
Doncaster … … … … 9.60 10.90 14.50 16.90 19.60 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 15
Ealing … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 17
Enfield … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 18
Greenwich … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U, S, O 20
Hackney … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 21
Hammersmith … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 22
Haringey … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 23
Harrow … … … … 11.20 13.65 15.20 16.00 19.10 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 24
Havering … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 25
Hillingdon … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 26
Hounslow … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 27
Islington … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 28
Kensington and Chelsea … … 16.87 19.46 22.12 24.64 27.86 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 29
Kingston-upon-Thames … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 30
Kirklees … … … … 10.80 12.35 14.50 16.90 19.60 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 31
Lambeth … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 33
Leeds … … … … 11.75 14.25 16.25 17.50 20.75 Yes X, B, C, U, O 34
Lewisham … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 35
City of London … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 37
Merton … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 39
Type "A" Authorities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Age [in years] 11 12 13 14 (15) 16 (17) Relativities Other additional payments LA code number
£ £ £ £ £
Newham … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 41
Redbridge … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 44
Richmond-on-Thames … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 45
Rotherham … … … … 11.30/11.50 13.25/14.10 16.05/16.55 18.85/19.95 23.50 No X, B, C, U/W, S 47
Sandwell … … … … 11.08 13.44 15.26 16.52 19.51 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 50
Southwark … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 55
Sutton … … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, U/W, S, O 58
Tower Hamlets … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 60
Wakefield … … … … 11.65 13.30 15.50 17.95 20.90 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 62
Waltham Forest … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 64
(24.70) (27.50)
Wandsworth … … … 14.70 18.00 20.40 22.00 26.10 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S O 65
Age [in years]
Type" B" Authorities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (15) 16 17 Relativities Other additional payments LA code number
£ £ £ £ £ £
Birmingham … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68 Yes X, B, C, U, S, O 5
Bolton … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 6
Bury … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 10
Coventry … … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 13
Dudley … … 11.62 13.51 14.84 16.10 17.36 20.51 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 16
(19.11)
Knowsley … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.46 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 32
Liverpool … … 10.80 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 36
Manchester … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 Yes C, U/W, S, O 38
Oldham … … 11.36 13.25 13.66 16.25 19.13 22.69 Yes C, U/W, S, O 43
Rochdale … … 11.36 13.25 13.66 16.25 19.13 22.69 No C, U/W, S 46
St. Helens … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.50 No C, U/W, S 48
Salford … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 49
Sefton … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No C, U/W, S, O 51
Sheffield … … 12.76 14.88 16.31 17.72 19.14 22.68 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S, O 52
Stockport … … 10.75 12.60 12.98 15.47 18.20 21.58 No C, U/W, S, O 56
Trafford … … 11.36 13.25 13.66 16.25 19.13 22.69 No C, U. S, O 61
Walsall … … 12.74 14.84 16.31 17.71 19.18 22.68 Yes X, B, C, U/W, S 63
Wigan … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No B, C, U/W, S 67
Wirral … … 10.78 12.60 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 Yes C, U/W, S, O 68
Wolverhampton … 9.38 9.66 9.87 10.36 10.85 13.65 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 69
(13.09)
Type "C" Authorities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Age [in years] 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Relativities Other additional payments LA code number
£ £ £
Gateshead … … … … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 No C, U/W, S 19
Newcastle … … … … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 No C, U/W, S 40
North Tyneside … … … … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 No C 42
South Tyneside … … … … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 No C, U/W, S, O 54
Sunderland … … … … … 16.03 19.46 21.70 No C, U/W, S
Age [in years]
Type "D" Authorities 1 2 3 (4) (5) 6 7 8 9 10 (11) 12 (13) 14 15 16 17 Relativities Other additional payments LA code number
£ £ £ £ £ £
Solihull … … 11.41 13.02 15.19 17.29 19.53 21.70 No X, B, C, U/W, S 5
Tameside … … (12.60) — 12.95 15.47 18.20 21.56 No B C, U/W, S, O 5
Westminster … — (21.50) — (27.00) — 32.50 No X, B, C, U/W, S, O 6
Key:
X=Christmas.
B=Birthday.
C=Initial Clothing.
U/W=School Uniform/Starting Work.
S=Special Difficulty.
O=Other (including holiday payments).
A=Additional payments included.

Note: The table does not take into account the numbers or proportion of their children in care which local authorities board out.

BOARDING OUT ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF FOSTER PARENTS—SURVEY
On 9 August 1979 the Association of Metropolitan Authorities sent a questionnaire seeking information on foster parent payments to all (69) social services authorities in metropolitan areas. There was 100 per cent. response rate.
(i)Age Bands
The attached analysis shows that there is a much closer similarity in age bands now being used than was the case in previous years. For example, information collected by DHSS in 1978 showed that there were then some 60 differing age bands in use. Now, according to the AMA survey there are only 11 age bands and some authorities are still reviewing their rates. Indeed, authorities can broadly be defined in four types, as follows:—
Type A Authorities
41 authorities (59 per cent. of metropolitan social services authorities) are using the age bands recommended by AMA and subsequently by LBA i.e. 0–4; 5–10; 11–12; 13–15; 16–17. These five age bands have been taken up by post London Boroughs.
Type B Authorities
A further 20 authorities (30 per cent.) have used the same age bands as recommended by AMA/LBA, but make the further split in the 5–10 age band at 7 as recommended by the National Foster Care Association (NFCA). These authorities thus have two further age bands 5–7 and 8–10. Most of these authorities have arrangements for foster parent payments agreed within their respective Children's Regional Planning Committee.
Type C Authorities
Five authorities (7 per cent.) in one region have used two broad age bands to cover children up to the age of 15—these are 0–10 and 10–15. In this region (Regional Planning Committee No. 1) review is under way, and the AMA guidance is subject to consideration.
Type D Authorities
A further three authorities (4 per cent.) have sdditional age bands with variations on the Type B group of authorities—these include an age band for 0–7 year olds in the one case; and 15–17 age band in a second case, and one with similar to (but not the same as) NFCA.
Authorities seem to be moving towards more uniform age bands. Taking either AMA age bands or NFCA, which has slightly more detail, a majority (61 authorities) use one or the other scale (i.e. just under 90 per cent.). Payments obviously vary, although in the exercise of producing more uniform scales, rates do seem to have increased across the country.
(ii)Relativities
The relativities which were suggested were similar to those recommended by the National Foster Care Association (excluding the 5–7 and 7–10 split). They were as follows:—
0–4 5–10 11–12 13–15 16–17
18 22 25 27 32
40 authorities (58 per cent.) say that they use (or are shortly to adopt) these relativities either as part of the National Foster Care Association recommendation or as an AMA/LBA recommendation. Of those saying " no ", those with very dissimilar age bands could not be included.
(iii)Other Additional Payments
The survey shows that all authorities make some or all of the following additional special payments:
Christmas allowance;
Birthdays;
Initial clothing allowances;
School uniform and/or starting work allowance;
Special difficulty allowance;
Other enhanced rate(s) (including holiday payments).
(iv)Further Review
Some authorities are still reviewing methods of payment and have indicated that they are likely to be adopting a method of payment uniform with other parts of the country.