Purpose

To seek Individual Cabinet Member approval to expand the council’s existing Fostering Capital Support Scheme to include the purchase of vehicles during the period April 2026 – March 2027 for the purpose of enabling foster carers and special guardians to access suitable vehicles to allow them to transport an increased number of children, including larger sibling groups, safely

Decision

In coming to this decision I have given due and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) by reference to the law itself and also the relevant Equality Impact Assessment, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

Having fully considered all the available information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and take the recommended decision to: 

1. Approve an expansion of the council’s existing Fostering Capital Scheme to permit funding to be directed towards the purchase, during the period April 2026 – March 2027, of suitable vehicles by foster carers and special guardians to allow them to safely transport additional children coming into their care, or for the larger sibling groups already in their care. 

1. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director Corporate Parenting to consider and, where appropriate, approve individual applications made by foster carers or special guardians for vehicle purchase during the period April 2026 – March 2027 and, to release funding to successful applicants, provided they satisfy all the following eligibility criteria:

1. The applicant must be an approved Gloucestershire Foster Carer (including Kinship Carers) or an approved Special Guardian, where the Special Guardianship Order application was supported by Gloucestershire County Council Children’s Services.

1. The applicant must be caring for a child from Gloucestershire.

1. The applicant must have a minimum of one year’s fostering or caring experience.

1. The applicant must demonstrate a strong record of fostering/caring experience and commitment, evidenced through successful annual reviews.

1. The applicant must be offering additional placements and show a clear commitment to sustaining this provision for Gloucestershire, including supporting the stability of children already in their care where increased capacity enables them to remain within their existing foster home.

For the reasons set out in the report.