Members are asked to email us a copy of their PSS Ex1 data file in July; they will then receive a draft report, comparing their Children & Families figures with all other members, in mid August, in good time to inform members’ budgeting process and also to allow time for any anomalies to be investigated and any corrections to the data to be submitted. Ensuring correct PSS Ex1 data is submitted is becoming more important as the data is now used by HM Treasury in determining overall funding levels. Final reports against all members and chosen comparators will be issued when all data amendments have been processed

This exercise uses the methodology of the BVPI 51 indicator. Each member’s questionnaire is pre-populated with their actual data for 2006/7, and they are then asked to estimate what the same figures are likely to be for the current year, based on detailed projections of the main costs involved, i.e.

• Budgets for their own children homes,
• A snapshot of the current weekly payments to independent homes,
• A similar snapshot of the current weekly payments to foster carers,
• Any adjustments to these “snapshot” figures necessary to convert them to an annual BVPI cost estimate,
• Estimates of other costs chargeable to CLA, e.g. supplementary payments to foster carers, the authority’s foster team, and any other indirect or overhead costs