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States Greffe
Connétable Richard Vibert Minister for Children and Families
BY EMAIL
11th February 2025 Dear Minister
Follow-up matters from the Public Hearing on the subject of Foster Care in Jersey: 7th February 2025
Thank you for attending the public review hearing last week, together with the Assistant Minister and your Officers, your time is much appreciated. The Panel would like to follow up on areas where it was indicated that further information could be provided to the Panel, namely:
- The Panel asked questions about financial support and allowances available to Foster Carers and had understood that there were discrepancies in the 2023 allowance adjustment provided. As the Panel understands it, the allowances to Foster Carers followed the Jersey Retail Price Index (RPI) percentage figure for September of the previous year. However, in 2023 the allowance increase was put at 7.9%, not the published 2022 RPI percentage figure which the Panel understand was 10.4%. Can you advise the Panel why the increase was not matched to RPI and if your department is looking to addressing the shortfall retrospectively? [time stamp 0:23:48]
- In the hearing it was acknowledged that there had been payment issues to foster carers last year. Therefore, please can you advise the Panel what was the nature of the payment issues and how many foster carers they impacted? [time stamp 0:33:19]
- During the hearing the Panel also heard about the Early Help' offer but was also interested in training that went beyond this. Please can you advise the Panel what options are available to parents whose children are regarded as edge of care, in addition to the Early Help' offer? [time stamp 1:12:00]
- The Panel was advised that copy of the draft handbook for foster carers, and information documents for parents with children on the edge of care can be shared with the Panel. Please can you provide a copy, or confirm the date that this will be provided? [time stamp 0:55:57]
Thank you in advance for your assistance. The Panel looks forward to your formal response and would request that this is received by 18th February 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Deputy Catherine Curtis
Chair, Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel