Is kinship fostering allowance paid per child?
Kinship fostering allowance is generally paid for each child placed in your care, rather than as one flat payment for the whole household. The amount may depend on the child’s needs, age, placement arrangements and the rate set by the responsible local authority or fostering service.
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A kinship fostering payment is linked to an approved placement for an individual child. Where a kinship carer looks after more than one child, the responsible local authority or fostering service will normally record and calculate the allowance for each placement separately, even if the money is paid into the same household account.
This means that payments for children in the same family are not necessarily identical. The assessment may take account of factors such as the child’s circumstances, practical care requirements, agreed contact arrangements and any additional support identified by the local authority. Two children placed with the same kinship carer can therefore have different payment arrangements.
Where siblings are placed together, the authority should explain how the allowance has been calculated for each child and whether any costs have been considered across the sibling group. A single payment may appear on a bank statement, but this does not necessarily mean it is one household allowance. Ask for a written breakdown if you are unsure how the total has been reached.
The allowance is generally intended to contribute towards the costs of caring for the child. Depending on the local arrangement, this can include everyday costs such as food, clothing, personal items, transport and activities, alongside other expenses agreed as part of the placement. It is important to understand which costs are included in the regular allowance and which may need to be requested separately.
Payment arrangements should be discussed during the assessment and confirmed before, or when, the placement is agreed. The relevant paperwork should set out:
- which child or children the payment relates to;
- the agreed rate for each placement;
- the date from which payment applies;
- how and when the money will be transferred;
- which additional expenses can be claimed separately; and
- what happens if the child’s circumstances or placement arrangements change.
If a child moves out of the placement, or the arrangement changes substantially, the payment connected with that child will need to be reviewed. A kinship carer should not assume that an allowance for one child automatically continues after the placement ends, or that it transfers to another child. The local authority should confirm any change in writing.
When comparing the allowance with the cost of caring, consider the full picture rather than looking only at the regular payment. Ask whether financial help is available for significant items, travel, contact-related costs, school needs or other expenses specific to the child. Keep receipts and records where the authority requires evidence, and raise concerns promptly if the agreed payment does not reflect the placement information used in the assessment.
For a precise answer about your circumstances, check the written placement agreement and speak to the social worker or fostering support team responsible for the child. Rates and payment rules are set locally, so the authority’s calculation and policy documents are the most reliable source for the amount payable to you.
A payment described as a kinship fostering allowance normally applies only where the child is placed with you under an approved fostering arrangement. Not every family member caring for a child is a foster carer, so the child’s legal and placement status must be confirmed before deciding whether an allowance is payable per child.
Kinship care may also be arranged through a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or an informal family agreement. These arrangements can have different financial support rules and should not be treated as automatically carrying the same allowance as a foster placement. If you care for children under different arrangements, ask the responsible local authority to explain the funding attached to each one separately.
- Confirm the legal basis for each child’s placement.
- Check whether you are approved as a foster carer for that placement.
- Ask which payment policy applies and whether support is assessed individually.
- Keep the written decision or agreement for your records.
This distinction is important because the number of children in your household alone does not establish entitlement. The placement status and the local authority’s assessment determine whether a kinship fostering allowance is due for each child.
Speak to our team about your kinship fostering allowance
Speak to our team for guidance on understanding your kinship fostering allowance and the questions to raise with the responsible local authority. We can help you identify the information you need before making an enquiry about your circumstances.