What paperwork is needed to arrange kinship payments for grandparents?

The paperwork for arranging kinship payments usually includes documents that confirm the grandparent’s identity, the child’s placement and the legal or fostering arrangement, together with the information needed to set up payment. Exact requirements differ between local authorities and fostering services, so the allocated social worker or finance team should provide the relevant forms and confirm which evidence is required.

In addition to the basic personal and payment information normally requested, a grandparent may need to provide or complete:

• Child and placement records: the child’s full name, date of birth, local authority reference and the date the placement began.
• Fostering documents: the approval decision, foster carer agreement, placement agreement or other document confirming that the grandparent is caring for the child as an approved kinship foster carer.
• Legal documents: copies of any relevant court orders, such as an interim care order, care order or other order affecting where the child lives. The documents needed will depend on the child’s legal status.
• Payment forms: a kinship fostering allowance form, payment authorisation form or agreement setting out the type of allowance and the date from which it is payable.
• Household and financial information: some services ask for details about household circumstances, income or other benefits when assessing discretionary support or additional expenses. This is not necessarily required for every fostering allowance.
• Tax and administration details: the service may request a National Insurance number or other information for its records. This does not by itself determine the amount paid, and grandparents should ask how the payment will be treated for tax purposes.

A grandparent should check whether the service wants original documents, certified copies or scanned copies. If original documents are supplied, it is sensible to ask for them back and keep copies of every completed form, agreement and supporting record. Personal information should be sent through the secure method specified by the local authority or fostering service.

The usual process is for the social worker or fostering team to confirm the child’s placement and the grandparent’s approval status first. The finance team can then check the payment form, verify the effective date and arrange payment using the submitted details. If information is missing, payment may be delayed while the service confirms the arrangement, so grandparents should ask for a written checklist rather than relying on a general list found online.

Paperwork can be different where the grandparent is caring for the child under a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or an informal family arrangement. These are not automatically the same as kinship fostering approval, and the available financial support may come from a different scheme. A court order or placement document should therefore be provided to the relevant social care team, which can explain which application form applies.

Before submitting the paperwork, grandparents should check that:

• the child’s name and date of birth are consistent across all documents;
• the placement start date and the date of fostering approval are recorded correctly;
• any change in address, bank account or household circumstances has been reported;
• copies of court orders and placement agreements are complete and legible; and
• they understand whether the payment is an allowance, a discretionary payment or support linked to a particular legal arrangement.

If the child’s placement or legal status changes, the local authority may ask for updated paperwork before changing the payment. Grandparents should also keep records of payments and approved child-related expenses, particularly where the service requires receipts or separate applications for additional support.