Can kinship fostering allowance change over time?
Yes. A kinship fostering allowance can change over time if the fostering service reviews its rates, the child’s needs or circumstances change, or the approved arrangement is updated. Any proposed change should be explained to you, including when it will take effect.
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Kinship fostering allowance is not necessarily fixed for the whole period of a placement. The amount may be reconsidered during the arrangement, depending on the fostering service’s payment policy, the child’s assessed needs and the practical demands of caring for them.
Changes are commonly considered as part of a planned review. The fostering service may look at whether the existing allowance remains suitable, whether the child’s care plan has altered and whether the placement continues under the same approval and support arrangements. A review does not automatically mean that the payment will increase or decrease; its purpose is to establish whether the current arrangements remain appropriate.
Factors that may affect a review include:
- changes in the child’s age, health, education or day-to-day care requirements;
- additional transport, equipment, clothing or activity costs connected with the placement;
- a change in the child’s placement, legal status or care plan;
- changes to the fostering service’s allowance policy or payment bands;
- changes to your approval or the terms under which you are caring for the child; and
- circumstances that mean the existing allowance no longer reflects the responsibilities involved.
The allowance may also be affected if the placement ends, if the child moves to a different type of arrangement or if responsibility for the child transfers to another service. In those situations, the payment position should be confirmed rather than assumed, as the rules can depend on the legal and fostering arrangements in place.
If a change is proposed, ask the fostering service to set out the revised amount, the reason for the change and the date from which it will apply. Check whether the figure includes all relevant elements of the payment and whether any costs are dealt with separately. Keep written records of notices, review decisions and receipts for significant placement-related expenses.
Where you believe the allowance does not reflect the child’s needs, provide specific information to support a review. This might include details of recurring travel, specialist equipment, school-related costs or additional supervision. The fostering service should explain how to raise concerns or request reconsideration under its complaints or review procedure.
It is also important to distinguish a fostering allowance from other financial help. Kinship carers may have questions about benefits, grants, tax treatment or payments linked to a different legal arrangement, but these are not automatically part of the fostering allowance. Before relying on a payment, confirm its purpose, eligibility conditions and effect on any other support you receive.
For an accurate position, speak to the fostering service responsible for the arrangement and ask for its current written guidance. If you are considering kinship fostering, the assessment process is an opportunity to discuss likely costs, how allowances are reviewed and what support is available when the child’s circumstances change.
A change to a kinship fostering allowance may be temporary, permanent or linked to a particular expense. Ask the fostering service to clarify which type of change is being considered, rather than assuming that a revised amount will continue indefinitely.
Where the child’s needs fluctuate, establish whether the support is being provided through a regular allowance or as a separate, one-off payment. You should also check what happens if the additional cost ends, reduces or becomes ongoing. This can help prevent misunderstandings about the amount you should expect and how long it will apply.
If a revised payment is connected to a change in the placement agreement, ask for the updated terms in writing before relying on them. Confirm the effective date, whether the change applies to the whole placement or only to a specific need, and how any payment already made will be dealt with. The relevant procedure for notice or reconsideration can depend on the fostering service and the arrangement in place.
Discuss your kinship fostering allowance
If you are considering kinship fostering, speak with our fostering team about how allowance arrangements may apply to your circumstances and what questions to raise during assessment.