How do I apply for enhanced foster care allowance?

Applying for an enhanced foster care allowance usually forms part of your fostering assessment rather than being a separate application for a fixed national payment. You should raise the subject with your fostering service, explain the experience and skills you could bring to an enhanced placement, and ask how its criteria and payment arrangements work.

The service will consider your suitability to foster alongside the additional requirements of the type of placement being discussed. This may include your previous experience, relevant training, ability to manage more complex needs, household circumstances, and the support available to you. You may be asked to provide evidence of qualifications, employment or care experience, although the exact information required depends on the fostering service and the proposed placement.

A typical application involves:

• Making an initial enquiry: Tell the fostering service that you are interested in enhanced fostering and ask which types of placement it supports.
• Discussing your circumstances: An assessing social worker will explore your motivation, experience, home life, health, relationships and ability to work with professionals.
• Completing checks and references: The service will explain the required safeguarding checks, references and other assessment information.
• Undertaking preparation training: Training helps you understand the responsibilities involved and assess whether an enhanced placement is appropriate for your household.
• Considering the assessment outcome: Your application is presented for a fostering decision in line with the service’s procedures. Approval may specify the ages, number of children or types of placements you can provide.
• Agreeing placement-specific arrangements: If an enhanced placement is considered, clarify the allowance, expectations, support, training and any conditions before accepting it.

Enhanced payments are generally linked to the demands of an approved placement, the child’s needs and the fostering service’s own framework. Approval as a foster carer does not automatically mean that every placement attracts an enhanced allowance. Ask whether the payment is attached to particular placement types, skills, levels of experience or additional responsibilities, and whether the arrangement is reviewed.

Before proceeding, ask for the payment information in writing. Check how the enhanced allowance relates to the standard fostering allowance, when payments begin, what happens if a placement changes, and which costs are expected to be covered separately. It is also sensible to ask what support is available from your supervising social worker and what further training is expected.

If your circumstances or experience change after approval, tell your fostering service. New training, professional experience or a change in the needs of a child in placement may affect future discussions about suitability for enhanced fostering, but any decision remains subject to the service’s assessment and payment policy.