Who can qualify for an enhanced foster care allowance?

An enhanced foster care allowance is generally available to approved foster carers who are assessed as suitable for a placement with additional or more complex care requirements. Qualifying is not based on a single factor, such as length of fostering experience. The fostering service considers the child’s needs, the carer’s suitability and the requirements attached to that particular placement.

People who may qualify include:

• approved foster carers who accept a placement designated as requiring enhanced support;
• carers with the skills, capacity and commitment to manage a child’s more demanding care plan;
• carers who complete the training and preparation required for the placement;
• carers whose household, accommodation and support arrangements are suitable for the child; and
• carers who can work constructively with the fostering service, the child’s family, schools, health professionals and other members of the care team.

Enhanced placements can involve children or young people whose needs require greater supervision, more structured care or specialist approaches. This may relate to experiences of trauma, emotional or behavioural difficulties, disabilities, health needs, disrupted placements or other circumstances identified in the child’s care plan. The relevant factor is the level of care required, rather than the label attached to the child’s circumstances.

Experience can help, but it is not always the deciding requirement. A carer who has fostered before may have developed useful skills, but a newly approved carer could also be considered where the fostering service believes the match is appropriate and the necessary preparation and support are in place. The decision will depend on the individual placement and the carer assessment, rather than an automatic entitlement based on previous fostering experience.

Before an enhanced placement is agreed, the fostering service will usually consider the carer’s assessment and approval, health, household circumstances, safer-care arrangements, available bedroom space, support network and ability to manage the proposed responsibilities. It will also look at whether the placement is compatible with any children already living in the household and whether the carer can attend meetings, keep appropriate records and follow agreed care plans.

Training is an important part of eligibility. Depending on the placement, this may include preparation for trauma-related behaviour, de-escalation, therapeutic approaches, communication needs, medication, disability or other specialist matters. The required training should be explained before the placement begins. Additional learning, supervision or consultation may be expected while the placement continues.

An enhanced foster care allowance is not normally a separate route to becoming a foster carer. You must first complete the fostering assessment and approval process. This involves initial discussions, statutory checks, references, a household assessment, preparation training and consideration by the appropriate fostering panel or approval decision-maker. Once approved, you can be considered for placements that match your approval and capabilities.

Approval alone does not guarantee an enhanced allowance. The payment normally depends on the specific placement meeting the fostering service’s enhanced-care criteria and on the terms agreed with the service. These terms should explain what makes the placement eligible, how the allowance is authorised, whether additional training or duties apply, and what happens if the child’s needs or placement arrangements change.

Speak to Become a Foster Family for an assessment of your circumstances and an explanation of how enhanced placements are considered. The team can clarify the approval requirements, training expectations, placement matching process and allowance arrangements relevant to your fostering application.