We believe that the financial systems in most local authorities are capable of identifying the cost of individual placements. However, the average fee or allowance paid for each type of placement can alternatively be used.

For in-house foster care you may define several carer skills levels using customised placement types. For each band of foster carer you need to estimate the average weekly skills payment per child and enter it. The Cost Calculator then adds the age related payments per child to the carer payments.