Independent foster care services

1. Details of the lowest, highest and average weekly fee rates agreed with external suppliers of Independent Foster Care Services for the current year (2021/2022).

We consider that release of this financial information is exempt under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Commercial Interests. Devon County Council considers releasing this data is likely to have an adverse effect on the average costs of this placement type set out by suppliers and affect our ability to negotiate best value for money in all instances.

We have considered the public interest in this case and we acknowledge that there is a public interest in the transparency around public spending, however, we also consider that there is a public interest in allowing external suppliers to apply for contracts in a competitive environment, and we therefore, consider that the public interest lies in withholding the information.

2. Details of the lowest, highest and average weekly fee rates paid to local authority carers. 

Based on the budget preparation data for 2021/22, the following weekly rates apply to our internal Foster Carers

(Please note that for questions 1 and 2, we do not require details of all rates paid to individual suppliers, simply minimum, maximum and average rates payable.)

3. Details of the rates of each tier for independent fostering agencies (if there is a framework agreement in place), or confirmation that tier rates have not changed from the previous year. 

Refer to our response in question 1 above.

By way of advice and assistance, we do have a tier rate though our framework agreement for this service area. Tiers in most instances set out a different cost based on age range, although in some instances some providers may set out the same cost through the age range tiers. In addition, we have a standard and enhanced rate. The enhanced rate would be in conjunction with a provider who provides enhanced services. The framework sets out a 4-year agreement where providers have set costs for each year. Some providers rates will increase over this period and some may hold their initial rate for the whole period or from one year to the next and then increase over a 2-year period as opposed to in each year.

4. The number of looked after children in foster care as of 31 March 2021 and of those children, the percentage looked after by independent foster agencies. 

As at 31st March 2021: 

Please note: The percentage of those recorded as looked after by an Independent Agency was calculated by looking for those Episodes of Care that are recorded as a private fostering provision. Due to the way this information is recorded, this was the only way we can make this distinction. To provide an exact figure we would have to manually review all 620 case records.  We estimate to carry out this exercise would take 5 minutes per case. Therefore, to conclude this exercise for all 620 cases would take approximately 52 hours to complete.

Under the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 public authorities are not obliged to comply with requests which exceed the cost limit of £450 (equating to 18 hours of time).  For this reason we believe that Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act applies (cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limits).

By way of advice and assistance, we are currently validating this data for statutory returns which means we might be able to give a reviewed response in 2-3 months if required.