Advice needed

[C2412]

I had a viability assessment for my niece. This was successfully so she will be coming to live with me next week whilst the full assessment is taken.
Whilst the full assessment is taking place I have been granted temporary foster carer for her, does anyone know if I will be entitled to help financially? Is there any grants etc I can apply for for help towards bed furniture school uniform etc? Any advice will be appreciated xx

[Robin D]

The local authority must pay you the same fostering allowance that they would give to stranger foster parents. They should also provide some assistance with one-off costs that are directly related to taking on the child.

[C2412]

What is the fostering allowance, is it an amount for the child’s needs and then an amount for the career? I just assumed I’d be able to claim child benefit. Is it the local authority I apply to for help with furniture and allowance? X

[Robin D]

The fostering allowance varies considerably by each local authority. Those for Suffolk are currently https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/asset-librar ... 3-2024.pdf. Your local authority should publish theirs on the web-site.

Extra allowances for equipment can sometimes be more difficult, but you should give the social worker a written list of what you believe you need and make sure you keep a copy.

Another tip is to start keeping a detailed daily diary. In it please record every conversation with the social worker, contact visits if appropriate, and behaviours of the child. So much will be going on, you will forget who said what and when.

[C2412]

What’s the difference between the allowance and fee? That’s a very good idea to keep notes. I will start doing that: x

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear C2412

Welcome to the kinship carers’ discussion board. Thank you for your posts. My name is Suzi. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser. I will reply to all your posts here.

You have recently been temporarily approved as a kinship foster carer for your niece. This is known as a regulation 24 placement. You will now need to have a fuller fostering assessment. I would recommend that you use this advice sheet 2g) becoming a kinship carer: the process to guide you through the assessment.

I am sorry to hear that children’s services have not provided you with information about how they will financially support you as a kinship foster carer.

As Robin has already explained children’s services must pay you a fostering allowance in the same way as an unrelated foster carer. The main difference is that you are assessed and temporarily approved to care for a specific child – your niece – whereas unrelated foster carer are approved for a range of children. Children’s services must pay you a fostering allowance from the moment you take on the care of the child. The allowance covers the cost of caring for the child you are fostering e.g. food, clothes, toiletries, and other expenses incurred in looking after a fostered child. Foster carers may be paid more money if they have specific skills.

Please see details of national minimum fostering allowances here.

However, you should ask the fostering social worker to provide you with written information clarifying their fostering allowance scale and what other help and support they can provide, including a setting up grant. You can ask them to provide you with information about the circumstances in which they pay a fee too to some foster carers in recognition of their skills, training, and experience etc. You can ask to undertake training too.

You cannot claim child benefit for your niece as a kinship foster carer.

If you have already had to pay for essential items for your niece, you should record them and keep receipts so that you can request reimbursement from children’s services.

You don’t say if you are caring for your niece under a voluntary (section 20) arrangement with her parents or whether there is an interim care order in place.I am attaching links to our advice materials which explain more about what happens when a child is fostered in each situation.

• Children in the care system under voluntary arrangements
• children in care under a court order .

I hope this is helpful.

If you have any further queries, please post back, call our freephone advice line on 0808 801 0366 (9.30 am to 3.00 pm, Mon to Fri) or use our advice enquiry or webchat facilities.

Best wishes

Suzie