What happens to kinship fostering payments when siblings are placed together?

There is no single national payment rule for sibling placements. Where a local authority approves someone as a kinship foster carer, the allowance is generally calculated for each child placed, using the authority’s policy and the individual circumstances of the placement. Being siblings does not automatically mean that one combined payment is made, nor does it guarantee a fixed additional sibling payment.

The amount paid may reflect factors such as:

• each child’s age and fostering allowance band;
• the children’s health, behaviour, education or other assessed needs;
• whether the placement is temporary, emergency, short-term or expected to continue;
• the equipment, clothing, travel and other costs needed for each child;
• any local authority policy for placing siblings together; and
• whether additional support is authorised because caring for the children together creates extra responsibilities.

Some costs are shared between siblings, such as household items or transport for a joint activity. Other costs arise separately for each child, including clothing, school requirements, personal items and activities. The authority may therefore consider both the individual allowance for each child and the overall cost of caring for the sibling group. A shared household cost should not automatically be treated as a reason to reduce the allowance for one child, but the way costs are assessed varies between authorities.

Is there an extra payment for keeping siblings together?

Some authorities may offer an additional payment or enhanced allowance where a sibling group requires more space, supervision, transport or coordination than a single child. This is not automatic. It may depend on the number of children, their needs, the complexity of the placement and the authority’s written payment policy. An enhanced rate may also be agreed for a particular period rather than continuing for the whole placement.

Kinship foster carers should ask how the authority has reached its figure rather than relying on a general allowance rate. The payment information should identify the amount attributed to each child, any sibling or additional-needs payment, which expenses are included, and which costs can be claimed separately. It should also explain when payments begin, how they are made and what happens if the children’s circumstances change.

What happens if the siblings have different needs?

A sibling group is assessed as a group for placement planning, but each child still has individual needs. One child may need specialist equipment, extra travel, more supervision or support with education, while another may not. These differences can affect the payment or lead to separate agreed expenses. Carers should tell the social worker about costs that cannot reasonably be met from the standard allowance and ask whether they require prior approval.

The authority should also consider whether caring for the siblings together affects the carer’s practical arrangements. Examples may include changes to sleeping arrangements, the need for a larger vehicle, additional safeguarding measures or attendance at several appointments. These matters do not automatically create a payment, but they are relevant when the placement plan and financial support are agreed.

Can payments change during the placement?

They can. A review may be needed if a child’s needs increase, a support package ends, a new expense becomes necessary, or the number of children in the placement changes. If one sibling moves out, the payment for that child would normally stop or change in line with the authority’s rules, while the allowance for the remaining child or children should be considered separately. Any change should be explained clearly and recorded in writing.

Payment reviews should not be confused with ordinary changes to an authority’s allowance policy. A local authority may update its rates or arrangements for all approved carers, while a placement-specific review considers the needs of the particular children. Ask which type of review is taking place and when the revised amount will apply.

What should kinship carers check before agreeing?

• Confirm that the arrangement is foster care and identify the legal status under which payments will be made. Payments can work differently where children are cared for under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or an informal family arrangement.
• Request the current allowance policy and placement-specific financial agreement.
• Check whether the figures are stated per child or as a total for the sibling group.
• Ask whether additional payments are available for complex needs, larger sibling groups, exceptional expenses or changes in circumstances.
• Clarify which costs are included in the allowance and which need separate agreement or receipts.
• Find out how and when the authority reviews the arrangement, including what happens if one sibling leaves.

Keeping siblings together can be important to their continuity and relationships, but the financial plan should reflect the actual responsibilities of caring for them. If the written figures do not match the agreed placement plan, raise this with the supervising social worker or the local authority’s fostering team before accepting the arrangement. A written explanation is particularly important where the children have different needs or where an additional payment has been discussed but not yet confirmed.