Confirm the legal arrangement
Ask whether the child’s placement is being considered as foster care, a special guardianship arrangement or another form of kinship care, as this affects who provides support and whether an allowance applies.
Do Kinship Carers Get Paid?
Kinship carers may receive financial support, but payment depends on the legal arrangement and the organisation responsible for the child. This guide explains kinship fostering allowances, eligibility, possible additional help and where to find accurate guidance in the West Midlands.
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Support Beyond the Allowance
Support beyond an allowance may include assessment guidance, preparation training and advice about caring for a child in your family network. The details depend on the child’s circumstances and arrangement.
Before proceeding, ask what training is required, what help continues after approval, and how fostering can fit around work and household routines. This keeps your next step informed rather than rushed.
Request a written payment explanation
Before making decisions, ask for clear information about the allowance, eligibility conditions, payment arrangements and any changes that could affect the amount.
Check what evidence is needed
Find out which household, financial and safeguarding information you may need to provide so you can prepare accurate details for the relevant assessment or application.
Discuss household responsibilities
Consider how caring duties could affect work, school runs, appointments and other family commitments, then ask what practical arrangements may help.
Understand the ongoing process
Ask what happens after an initial enquiry, including any meetings, decisions, reviews or changes in support once the arrangement is established.
Use reliable local guidance
If the payment position remains unclear, seek guidance from the organisation responsible for the child or a suitable local authority team before relying on informal advice.
Understanding Payment for Kinship Care
Kinship carers do not usually receive a standard wage simply for caring for a child in their family network. Financial help depends on whether the child is placed with you by a local authority, or whether you care for them under an informal family arrangement, a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order.
Where a local authority approves you as a kinship foster carer, you may receive a fostering allowance intended to contribute towards the child’s day-to-day costs. The amount and eligibility can vary according to the child’s age, needs, placement arrangements and the authority’s policy. Other legal arrangements may provide different support, and an informal arrangement may not attract a regular allowance.
Before accepting a placement, ask the responsible local authority or fostering service to confirm the allowance rate, when payments begin, what expenses can be claimed and whether support is means-tested. Also check how the arrangement could affect benefits, tax or other household income, and request the terms in writing so you understand the financial position before making a decision.
Questions About Kinship Carer Payments and Support
Are kinship foster allowances taxable?
Support can cover understanding your responsibilities, keeping appropriate records, communicating with professionals and reviewing arrangements as the child’s needs or circumstances change over time.
How do I apply for a kinship carer allowance?
Apply through the local authority or fostering service responsible for the child. They will explain eligibility, complete assessments and checks, arrange preparation, and confirm approval and payment arrangements before placement.
Can kinship carers receive extra payments for a child’s additional needs?
Additional payments may be available for disability-related costs, specialist equipment, therapies, transport or other exceptional needs. Ask the responsible authority what evidence is required and how extra funding is authorised.
Do kinship carers receive a regular allowance?
Payment arrangements are set by the approving authority or fostering service. Confirm whether allowances are paid regularly, the payment date, review process and what happens during placement changes or breaks.
Can kinship carers claim expenses separately from their allowance?
Some necessary costs may be reimbursed separately, but this depends on the placement and approving authority. Confirm eligible expenses, receipts, mileage rules, approval procedures and submission deadlines before incurring costs.
Key Factors That Affect Kinship Carer Payments
Kinship carer payment arrangements can involve more than a regular allowance. The points below explain which forms of financial assistance may be available, what each is intended to cover, and why confirming the details matters before accepting responsibility.
- 1
Legal arrangement
The child’s legal status is the starting point for understanding payment. Kinship fostering, a child arrangements order, special guardianship and informal care can each involve different financial support.
- 2
Responsible organisation
The local authority or fostering service responsible for the placement will explain the applicable payment arrangements. Confirm who administers the support and which policy applies to your circumstances.
- 3
Child’s age and needs
Where a fostering allowance is available, the rate may reflect factors such as the child’s age, individual needs and placement arrangements. This helps indicate whether the allowance is intended to meet standard or additional day-to-day costs.
- 4
Claimable expenses
Ask whether specific costs can be claimed separately from the regular allowance. Clarifying eligible expenses helps you understand which costs are included and which may need prior approval.
- 5
Written payment terms
Request the allowance rate, payment start date, conditions and any means-testing rules in writing. Clear terms make it easier to assess the financial position before accepting responsibility for the child.
Practical Guidance for Kinship Carers
For kinship carers, practical support is most useful when it turns general information into clear next steps. Become A Foster Family’s regional teams explain how the assessment process, training requirements and responsible authority fit together, helping relatives understand what to ask before committing to care.
For example, someone considering fostering for a family member can discuss their circumstances with staff based across the region, rather than relying only on generic online guidance. This may help them identify the relevant documents, prepare for assessment and understand the support available throughout the process.
Following approval, ongoing assistance provides a route for carers to raise practical questions as circumstances develop. The Droitwich and Stoke offices support a wider regional team, connecting guidance with local knowledge and helping carers access consistent information at each stage.
Payments Vary
Kinship carers may receive allowances, but payment depends on the child’s legal arrangement, responsible authority, eligibility and assessed support needs.
Questions About Kinship Carer Payments
Who decides how much kinship carers get paid?
Kinship carers may receive an allowance or other financial support, but there is no universal payment. Entitlement depends on the child’s legal status, responsible authority and the outcome of assessment.
Are kinship carers paid before the child moves in?
Payment before a child moves in is not automatic. Ask the responsible authority whether any allowance begins during assessment, on placement, or after approval, and what conditions apply to you.
Do kinship carers get paid if they are not approved foster carers?
Not necessarily. Relatives caring under informal arrangements or special guardianship may receive different support, while approved kinship foster carers can qualify for fostering allowances. Confirm entitlement with the responsible authority.
Does kinship care affect my benefits?
Kinship care can affect means-tested benefits, depending on the child’s legal status, your income and household circumstances. Seek advice before claiming or changing benefits, because fostering allowances and other support may interact.
Can kinship carers receive backdated payments?
Backdated payments may be possible where an authority confirms eligibility from an earlier date, but they are not automatic. Ask for the decision, qualifying period and required evidence in writing.
Talk Through Your Kinship Care Questions
If you are considering kinship care, speak with our team to discuss your circumstances and ask practical questions about payment arrangements. An initial conversation can help you understand the relevant options and decide whether this responsibility is right for you.