Who pays for statutory checks for foster carers?

The fostering service normally pays the standard costs of the statutory checks required for your assessment. This commonly includes the administrative cost of obtaining information from relevant authorities and processing the checks for you and other household members who need to be assessed.

Payment arrangements can vary depending on the type of check, the organisation providing the information and the fostering service’s policy. Before checks begin, you should be told which costs the service will cover and whether anything could be payable by you. Ask for this information in writing if it is not clear.

• Routine statutory checks: These are generally arranged as part of the fostering assessment and paid for by the fostering service.
• Checks on household members: Where checks are needed for other adults in your household, the same assessment arrangements will usually apply rather than each person paying separately.
• Information from overseas: A police certificate or other document from another country may involve charges set by an overseas authority. The fostering service should explain who is responsible for any such cost before the request is made.
• Supporting documents: You may need to pay for replacement identity documents, certified copies, translations, postage or other documents you need to obtain yourself. These are separate from the cost of the statutory check.
• Medical information: A medical assessment or report can involve a charge from a GP or other healthcare provider. Confirm whether the fostering service pays the provider directly or reimburses an agreed cost.

A check may also take longer or require additional evidence if your identity, address history or time spent abroad cannot be verified through the usual sources. This does not automatically mean that you must pay more, but it is sensible to ask whether any extra certificate, translation or document will be needed before proceeding.

You should not assume that a check arranged during a fostering assessment can be transferred from an earlier application or another organisation. A new service may need to arrange its own checks, and its policy will determine how the associated cost is handled. The same applies if a document has expired or no longer meets the required standard.

When discussing costs with the fostering service, ask:

• which checks are included in the assessment;
• whether the service pays the checking organisation directly;
• whether you must pay for any overseas certificates, translations or replacement documents;
• whether medical or other professional reports are covered;
• what evidence is required before an expense can be reimbursed; and
• what happens if a further check is needed later in the assessment.

Keep receipts and obtain approval before paying for anything that you expect the fostering service to reimburse. Become a Foster Family can clarify which checks are normally covered and help you understand any separate costs that may apply to your circumstances.