Who is eligible for a kinship fostering allowance?

Eligibility for a kinship fostering allowance usually depends on being an adult relative or connected person who has been assessed and approved to foster a specific child through the local authority. The child must be placed under a fostering arrangement rather than living with you through an informal family agreement, a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order.

Who may be considered?

• Grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other relatives may be considered.
• People with an established relationship with the child, such as a close family friend or someone who has previously cared for them, may also be considered as connected-person carers.
• Applicants generally need to be at least 18 and able to provide a stable, safe home for the child.
• You do not usually need to be married, own your home or have previous fostering experience. The assessment focuses on your ability to meet the child’s needs and work with the professionals involved.

Being related to a child does not, by itself, create an entitlement to fostering payments. The local authority must decide whether fostering is the appropriate legal arrangement and whether you are suitable to care for the child. It will also consider the child’s circumstances, the proposed placement and any risks that need to be managed.

What is considered during the assessment?

The assessment normally examines your relationship with the child, your understanding of their history and needs, and your capacity to offer consistent care. It may also cover:

• your health and ability to manage the practical demands of caring for the child;
• your accommodation and whether there is suitable space and privacy;
• the views and circumstances of other people in your household;
• your finances and whether the household can manage day-to-day costs;
• your employment, childcare arrangements and availability for meetings or appointments;
• your willingness to support the child’s education, health, identity and important relationships; and
• any previous convictions, safeguarding concerns or relevant involvement with children’s services.

Checks may include criminal record checks, references, health information and home visits. These checks are not intended to require applicants to have an entirely problem-free history. Relevant information is considered in context, with attention to current risk and your ability to safeguard the child.

Can someone be approved quickly in an emergency?

Where a child needs an immediate placement with a relative or connected person, the local authority may use temporary or emergency fostering arrangements while further assessment is completed. The requirements and payment arrangements for this type of placement should be explained by the responsible social work team. Temporary approval does not necessarily mean that full approval will follow, so the assessment still needs to be completed.

What happens after approval?

Once approved, you will receive information about the fostering terms, the child’s placement plan and the allowance that applies. The amount and conditions are set by the responsible local authority and can depend on its policy, the child’s needs and the approved fostering arrangement. Ask for the payment information in writing so you understand what the allowance is intended to cover and whether any additional support is available.

Fostering approval and other kinship-care legal orders should not be treated as interchangeable. A special guardian, a person with a child arrangements order or a carer in an informal arrangement may be able to receive different support, subject to separate rules. If you are unsure which arrangement applies, ask the child’s social worker or fostering service to confirm the legal status before relying on an allowance.

If you are considering caring for a relative’s or connected child, the practical first step is to contact the local authority responsible for the child and ask about its kinship fostering process. Become a Foster Family can also provide general guidance on fostering assessments, training, financial support and the ongoing responsibilities involved, so you can prepare questions before beginning an application.