Foster Care Allowance Model Scheme for 2024-25
Dear Department of Health (Northern Ireland),
I am writing to make a request for all the following information which I am entitled to under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please provide:
(1) A copy of the methodology used to calculate the foster care model scheme allowances as outlined in the model scheme 2024-25.
(2) A copy of the calculations used to determine the 2024-25 foster care model scheme allowances.
(3) The Government Inflation Index (CPI, CPIH, RPI) used within the calculation, the figure used and the period of time (e.g. April 2023-24 or Sept 2023-24) considered relevant for the calculation (inflation index figure used at date of calculation)?
(4) A copy of the evidence used by the Department to determine that the 2024-25 foster care model scheme allowances are adequate and cover the costs of care for a looked-after-child placed in foster care.
(5) A copy of the most recent Patient Public Involvement (PPI) consultation with HSC Trust foster carers on the adequacy of the foster care allowances as set out in the foster care model scheme as required by the Health and Social Care Reform Act (NI) 2009).
(6) A copy of the Patient Public Involvement (PPI) involvement plan with foster carers as it relates to foster care finance and payments as required by the Health and Social Care Reform Act (NI) 2009.
I would like the above information to be provided in an electronic form.
If the request is too broad or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand under the Act you are required to advise and assist requesters. If any of the information is already in the public domain, please send it to me directly with page references or URLs when necessary.
If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance under the section 16 obligations of the Act, as to how I can refine the request.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within 20 working days after receiving this request. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing you have received this request.
I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Yours faithfully
Dr. Alastair Scott-McKinley
Alastair,
Please see attached acknowledgement of receipt of your request.
Regards,
Joyce
Joyce McGrattan
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)
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Dear Dr Scott-McKinley,
Please find attached the response to your recent request for information.
Regards,
David Johnston
Information Governance Officer
SPPG – DoH NI
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Dear David Johnston,
Thank you for your response.
In response to question ("3) The Government Inflation Index (CPI, CPIH, RPI) used within the calculation, the figure used and the period of time (e.g. April 2023-24 or Sept 2023-24) considered relevant for the calculation (inflation index figure used at date of calculation)?"
You reply "As per the response to Point 1 above, the annual review process to determine an uplift to apply to rates considers the impact of inflationary pressures, and this includes information on the CPI inflationary index as available. The 3% uplift which has been applied to Foster Care Allowance rates reflects the level of affordability and funding availability within the 2024-25 Budget for the Department, and is applicable to rates from 1st April 2024."
Thank you for clarifying that the CPI inflationary index was used in the process. Please can you respond to the rest of this question, please provide:
- the [CPI] figure used.
-the period of time (e.g. April 2023-24 or Sept 2023-24) the CPI figure relates to when considered in the process.
Yours sincerely,
Alastair Scott-McKinley
“This email is covered by the disclaimer found at the end of the message.”
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Dr Scott-McKinley,
Thank you for your email below. I have run your query past the relevant
business areas and have been provided the following clarification in
response:
• Information on CPI data was reviewed an indicator for inflation,
noting CPI for the 12 months to March 2024 was 3.2% and latest CPI
rate published information at that time indicated a 2.0% increase for
the twelve months to May 2024 (source: Consumer price inflation tables
- Office for National Statistics).
Regards,
David Johnston
Information Governance Officer
SPPG – DoH NI
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