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Nottinghamshire County Council to Increase Kinship Carer Payments

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nottinghamshire County Council has revealed a 3.55% rise in kinship carer payments, citing the government's recommendation. The increase, set for the 2025/26 financial year, is estimated to cost an additional £235,292 compared to 2024/25. This rise aims to address the "level of dissatisfaction" amongst kinship carers, who currently receive lower payments than those provided by other authorities. The council hopes the increase will reduce the number of children needing care and enable more to "live within their birth families".

Key Takeaways:

  • The council has agreed to increase kinship carer payments by 3.55% for the 2025/26 financial year, aligning with the government's recommendation.
  • The estimated additional cost of the rise is £235,292 compared to 2024/25, which will be covered by the existing kinship carer payment budget.
  • The weekly payment for kinship carers caring for children aged 16 to 18 will rise by £9, from £249 to £258 in 2025/26.
  • Kinship carers experience "levels of dissatisfaction" due to lower payments compared to other authorities.
  • Existing kinship carers may withdraw their care arrangements if payments are not increased, posing a risk to the care of Nottinghamshire children.
  • Additional costs faced by kinship carers include food and school uniforms, which some struggle to afford.
  • The council has identified an underspend in the adoption financial support team to cover any shortfall from the increased payments.

Statistics:

  • The estimated overall increased cost of £235,292 in 2025/26 for the council compared to 2024/25.
  • The weekly payment for kinship carers caring for children aged 16 to 18 will rise by £9, from £249 in 2024/25 to £258 in 2025/26.
  • The existing kinship carer payment budget is £6,937,108.
  • The estimated additional cost of the rise is set to be covered by the existing budget, with any shortfall "likely to be low" and covered by an underspend in the adoption financial support team.

Sources:

  • Byline: Lauren Monaghan, Local Democracy Reporter (no date specified)
  • Not specified in the text.

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