Written question WQ85736

Our Programme for Government contains a number of key commitments about a new vision for Children’s Services in Wales. They are about whole system change.

At its heart we want to see fewer children and young people entering care and we want to keep families together, so that children can remain in the care of their family wherever possible.

Part of this reform agenda involves reviewing the national minimum allowance, which is the basic core allowance that foster, and kinship carers receive to cover the costs involved in looking after the children in their care. This will help set a benchmark for payment rates.

Officials are currently considering the findings of this review and will take into consideration the full range of costs associated with caring for Children Looked After, including the impact of foster caring on a family’s ability to earn or meet the needs of all children within the house. The report will be published in Autumn alongside any decision to make changes to the levels of the allowance.