Do kinship carers get paid if they are not approved foster carers?

Kinship carers who are not approved foster carers may receive financial help, but they do not usually receive a fostering allowance simply because they are caring for a relative or someone known to the child. The type and amount of support depend mainly on the child’s legal arrangement, how the placement began and the local authority’s policy.

Kinship care without foster-carer approval can involve several different arrangements:

• Informal family care: the child lives with a relative or family friend by agreement with the parents, without a court order or local authority placement. In this situation, there is generally no automatic fostering payment. The carer may be able to claim ordinary benefits or child-related support, subject to the relevant eligibility rules.
• A child arrangements order: the court gives the carer responsibility for the child’s day-to-day care. Some local authorities offer a residence or child arrangements allowance, particularly where the arrangement has been made to prevent the child entering care. This is not the same as a fostering allowance and may be discretionary.
• Special guardianship: a special guardian has enhanced parental responsibility and normally receives support under a plan prepared by the local authority. Financial assistance may be included, but it is not automatically available in every case. The local authority should explain how any payment is calculated and when it will be reviewed.
• Local authority foster care: if the child is looked after by the council and placed with a relative or family friend, the carer will generally need to be approved as a foster carer or receive temporary approval under the rules for connected-person placements. Fostering payments may apply once the relevant approval or temporary approval is in place.

Why approval matters

Foster-carer approval is linked to the child being formally placed in care with the carer. It involves assessment, checks, preparation and a decision by the fostering service. A relative caring for a child privately does not become entitled to fostering payments merely by providing day-to-day care. Equally, a person should not be expected to accept a local authority placement without being told what approval status will apply and what financial support is available.

In an urgent placement, a local authority may use temporary approval while it assesses the connected person. The arrangements should be explained clearly, including whether the payment is a fostering allowance, a different kinship payment or help with specific costs. Temporary approval does not necessarily provide the same position as full approval, so ask how long it lasts and what happens next.

Support that may be available without fostering approval

Depending on the circumstances, a kinship carer may be able to receive:

• a special guardianship, residence or child arrangements allowance;
• help with legal, assessment or practical costs connected with the arrangement;
• support through a kinship support plan;
• means-tested benefits or other payments linked to caring for a child;
• child-related payments for which the carer meets the qualifying conditions; or
• assistance with essential items, travel or services where the local authority has a relevant policy.

These forms of help have different rules. Some are means-tested, some depend on the child’s looked-after status, and others are discretionary. A payment can also affect eligibility for certain benefits, so it is sensible to obtain a written explanation before relying on it or agreeing to a change in the child’s living arrangements.

What to ask the social worker or local authority

• What is the child’s current legal status?
• Is this an informal arrangement, a family-and-friends foster placement, a child arrangements order or a special guardianship arrangement?
• Am I being considered for temporary or full foster-carer approval?
• What allowance or financial assistance is available under this arrangement?
• Is the payment means-tested, discretionary or subject to review?
• Will support continue if the legal arrangement changes?
• Could the payment affect my benefits or tax position?
• Who should I contact if the child’s needs or circumstances change?

Ask for the decision and any proposed allowance in writing. If you believe the child was placed with you because there was no suitable alternative, ask whether the local authority has a family-and-friends or kinship support policy and whether an assessment of your financial circumstances is required.

If no fostering allowance is payable, that does not necessarily mean no support exists. The correct route may be a special guardianship support assessment, a child arrangements allowance, benefits advice or practical assistance from the local authority. The payment position should be considered alongside the child’s safety, stability and long-term care plan, rather than treated as a reason to choose one legal arrangement without independent advice.