Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your information request.

If you are making a request for information under FOI(S)A we will aim to
respond within the statutory timeframe of 20 working days.

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will aim to respond within the statutory timeframe of 20 working days.
However, for requests of a complex nature it could take us up to 40
working days. If so we will write and tell you this.

If you are making a request for information under DPA/GDPR we will aim to
respond within the statutory timeframe of one month except in the case of
complex or numerous requests in which case this period may be extended by
up to a further two months. If so we will write and tell you this.

Information Requests Privacy Notice: [1]https://tinyurl.com/yac8kodc

Regards,
Aberdeenshire Information Enquiries

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Dear Eve  Hatcher

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“The Act”)

We refer to your request dated 16/09/2022 17:45, for the following
information FOI: Foster Carer Allowances  requesting 2022/23 weekly foster
care allowances. 

We confirm that the Council holds the following information, which we
believe satisfies your request.

Please could you tell me your 2022-23 weekly foster care allowances for
all age bands, NOT including any fee/reward element for foster carers.

0-4                          £150.12

5-10                       £170.65

11-15                     £212.12

16-18                     £258.14 (19-21 Continuing Care)

Please detail any allowances that ALL foster carers can claim in addition
to their weekly allowance, e.g., holiday allowance or mileage.

Foster carers receive an additional 4 weeks age related allowance to cover
birthday, July Holiday, August Holiday and Christmas.  Foster carers may
also claim mileage for the placement but this must be mileage authorised
by Team Manager as there are specific criteria:

Travel/Mileage

The fostering allowance includes an element for travelling costs, which
are part of the normal family expenditure. Travel costs that are beyond
the normal pattern of family living can be considered.

Travel included within the allowance and therefore cannot be claimed:

·           Normal trips to medical and other associated appointments if
within a 20 -mile radius.

·           Transport to and from school where the school is less than 10
miles from the foster care home. However school or public transport should
be used where available. Taking and collecting the child from social
activities.

·           Where a placed child attracts the mobility element of DLA this
will include related additional travel costs and Foster Carers will not be
able to claim additional travel expenses in the respect of the child.

Travel costs that could be claimed:

·           Travel to and from school that is more than 10 miles from the
foster home and where the child is not entitled to a school bus pass. A
protocol exists between Education and Social Work regarding transport for
education of Looked After Children. If it is agreed that a child will
remain at a previous school in their home community for continuity of
education, transport will be funded by Education for the first 3 months
and thereafter jointly funded by Education and Social Work)

·           Travel to and from contact meetings

·           Attendance at reviews and meetings associated with the care of
the child

·           Attendance at training provided by Aberdeenshire Council

·           Where public transport is used, costs will be met in full,
however receipts MUST be attached to the claim.

Training Mileage can be claimed by all foster carers.

We also have an Exceptional Payments Form for expenses incurred outwith
the norm and not included within the allowance these are approved by Team
Manager if applicable.

Please could you tell me your 2022-23 weekly allowances for former foster
carers looking after young people in 18+ Staying Put arrangements, broken
down by year 1, year 2, and year 3 if necessary.

We do not make any payments to former foster carers.  We only process
payments to approved foster carers who continue to have children in their
placement.  If foster carers are approved as continuing carers/continuing
carers for home leave for their placement, then we can continue to pay at
the weekly rate of £258.14 up until the age of 21 but only if the child is
in placement with that foster carer. 

Please note Staying Put carers are the equivalent in England to Continuing
Carers in Scotland.

Please contact me as the officer responsible for responding to your
request if you have any further queries.

If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with this response, please refer
to the further information attached.

Yours faithfully

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator
Health & Social Care Partnership

Further Information:
Aberdeenshire Council’s Review Procedure under the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland)
Regulations 2004 can be accessed at the following link:

[1]http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/council-...

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thèid a chur an cèill agus chan eil e a’ ciallachadh gu bheil iad a’
riochdachadh beachdan Chomhairle Shiorrachd Obar Dheathain.

www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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References

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