Terms and Conditions
Referrals to The Fostering Foundation
To make a referral, please contact one of our regional offices where someone will be able to take information and discuss your requirements further.
Fee Rates and Terms & Conditions
1. FEES
Fees are set at levels reflective of and commensurate with the level, quality, and complexity of service provision in both general and specific cases. It will be recognised that fees must be sufficient to ensure the stability and sustainability of service. The Fostering Foundation is confident that the fee will be representative of best value for the service.
The Fostering Foundation recognises the financial pressures to which Local Authorities are subject and the fiscal boundaries within which they have to work. In determining fee levels, consideration has been given to these factors as well as to the spirit of assistance and mutual co-operation which The Fostering Foundation seeks to develop with all Authorities for whom it provides fostering services.
For full details of current fees please contact any of our regional offices (contact us)
2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The following Terms and Conditions will apply to placements, fees for which are dealt with in the foregoing section according to placement category.
2.1 Billing profile and frequency
The following categories of placement will be billed in the following way and frequency : -
Four-weekly in advance – Short term Placements, project Placements, Assessment Placements, and Long term Placements.
Weekly in advance – Emergency Placements and Youth Justice Placements.
Two-monthly in advance – Specialist Placements. (Return to top)
2.2 Payment terms and interest on late payment
All invoices to Authorities must be paid within fourteen days (ten working days) of invoice. Interest at 3% over prevailing bank base rate will be added to invoices unpaid after 14 days of issue. A further amount equivalent to compound interest at the foregoing rate will be added every seven days until the invoice is paid in full (together with all accrued interest). (Return to top)
2.3 Credit arrangements
Sums paid by a placing Authority for periods following the end of a placement will be repaid to the Authority within ten working days after the end of the placement (subject to a right of set-off in respect of monies outstanding from that Authority in respect of other then current placements). (Return to top)
2.4 Review of base fee (and other fees)
The base fee (and other fees) in respect of placements will be reviewed annually by 31st October to take effect from the following January 1st. Authorities will be notified in writing of any changes to fees consequent upon such review as soon as possible after 31st October. (Return to top)
2.5 Termination of placements
2.5.1 Termination [general]
Other than for Emergency Placements, Youth Justice Placements, or Specialist Placements where a different notice period may have been agreed in advance, Authorities will be required to give four weeks prior written notification of the termination of a placement (or payment in lieu at the rate applicable to the particular placement).
2.5.2 Termination [other placements]
For Emergency Placements, 7 days prior notice is required (or payment in lieu) to expire at any time after the first 7 days of the placement.
For Youth Justice Placements, 14 days prior notice is required or seven days following the date upon which a custodial sentence is imposed upon the young person (whichever is the earlier).
For Specialist placements, such notice period as is agreed and specified in the Placement Agreement relating to that Placement. (Return to top)
2.6 Placement breakdown
In the event that a placement arrangement breaks down irretrievably, every effort will be made to give an Authority 28 days notification, and in the meanwhile, provide additional support or an alternative temporary placement with other Foundation carers, where this is possible and with the agreement of the Placing Authority. Matters will be arranged, so far as is possible, to ensure that a move for a young person (if that move is to a placement otherwise than with the Foundation) is carried out in a planned manner. (Return to top)
2.7 Changes in categorisation of placement for the same young person
If the placement arrangement for a young person changes (e.g. if an Emergency Placement becomes a Short Term Placement or if a Youth Justice Placement becomes an Assessment Placement) the change must be evidenced by a written amendment to the Placement Agreement. This must be signed by the appropriate parties from both the Foundation and the Authority. From the date of such evidenced change, the fee for the placement will be adjusted accordingly. (Return to top)
2.8 Reservation of placements
Payment of 50% of the fee appropriate to the particular category of placement reserved is payable by the Placing Authority to the Foundation form the date of reservation until commencement of the placement. If the placement is not taken up within 28days after reservation, the Foundation shall be at liberty to charge at the full fee for the placement if the reservation is to continue beyond that date. (Return to top)
2.9 Items included in the fee for a placement.
The following items are included in the base fee (or placement fee if higher):-
Boarding-out allowance to the carer(s).
Weekly clothing allowance for the young person.
Pocket money for the young person.
Local regular travelling costs (e.g. trips to and from school, to the doctor, into town, and so forth).
Birthday and Christmas presents (for placements of three months or more).
The cost of holidays/school trips for the young person up to a total of £500.00 (for placements of 6 months or more).
Routine medications, medical treatment, dental treatment and examinations.
Day-to-day food, sustenance and requisites for the young person (including the cost of school lunches, if applicable).
All other costs incidental to the young person’s care plan other than those of an unusual nature or those specifically determined as extra costs. (Return to top)
2.10 Items not included in the fee for a placement.
The following items are not included in the base fee (or placement fee, if higher) and are charged as extra costs:-
An initial sum for clothing the young person where this is needed (including any new school uniform).
Opticians, dentists, or other medical charges or items other than standard charges (e.g. charges for the frames for new glasses, cosmetic dental work etc.).
Special clinical dietary requirements or products.
An additional allowance for the purchase of items necessary for young people with disabilities.
Additional transport costs for long and /or irregular journeys.
Additional costs of an unusual nature and particular to an individual young person (e.g. additional sports equipment for an athlete; or additional education equipment for a young person with special educational needs).
The cost of external third party assessment and/or treatment (e.g. psychiatric/psychological assessment).
The cost of private education/home tuition where this is necessary. (Return to top)
2.11 Variation of terms.
The Foundation will notify an Authority in writing and in advance of any variation in these Terms and Conditions during the currency of any Placement. No such notification of variation to an Authority shall of itself (and in the absence of agreement on behalf of an Authority) operate to alter the terms or basis of an individual placement save in circumstances where such variation has resulted from a change in the law or regulation imposing an obligation upon the Foundation which results in such variation of these Terms and Conditions. (Return to top)
2.10 Acceptance by an Authority.
These Terms and Conditions having been made available to a Placing Authority prior to any Placement Agreement being entered into in respect of a young person, Placing Authorities (by the actions of their employees and/or authorised representatives in committing to or reserving a placement) shall be deemed to have full knowledge of them and to have accepted them in relation to each and every placement made by that Authority through the Foundation whether or not these Terms and Conditions are contained in and repeated in any such Placement Agreement. (Return to top)