How is emergency foster carer pay reviewed?

Emergency foster carer pay is reviewed through the fostering service’s payment framework rather than decided informally for each placement. The service assesses whether its rates remain appropriate, records the outcome and communicates any change to carers, including the date from which a revised rate will apply.

A review can involve several stages:

• Checking the payment policy: the service examines the rules covering emergency placements, including how fees, allowances, additional payments and approved expenses are treated.
• Reviewing placement information: it considers whether emergency placements are involving different levels of supervision, preparation, risk management or practical responsibility than the existing payment structure allows for.
• Assessing financial assumptions: the service may check whether the amounts allowed for food, utilities, transport, clothing, activities and other day-to-day costs still reflect the real cost of caring for a child.
• Considering external requirements: changes to fostering guidance, local arrangements or wider expectations of foster carers may require the payment framework to be amended.
• Checking consistency: the service can compare similar placement situations to make sure that payments are being applied fairly and that any additional element has a clear basis.

The review should distinguish between a general rate change and a payment decision about one placement. A general review may alter the rates available under the policy, whereas an individual decision may depend on the child’s assessed needs, the agreed responsibilities and any authorised additional costs. A change to the general framework does not necessarily mean that every placement will receive the same total payment.

Foster carers should be given clear information about how the reviewed amount has been calculated. This normally includes the relevant payment category, what the amount covers, whether any parts are conditional on approval or evidence, and when the new arrangement starts. It is also important to check whether a change applies to placements already in progress or only to placements agreed after the effective date. The written terms for the placement should take priority if they contain specific arrangements.

Payment reviews should not be confused with a review of a carer’s approval or suitability. A payment review concerns the financial framework and the basis for making payments. Matters such as training, supervision and placement planning may inform how responsibilities are described, but a payment change should be explained through the payment policy rather than presented as an unexplained alteration to approval status.

If a carer believes a payment has been calculated incorrectly, the first step is to compare the payment statement with the fostering agreement, placement agreement and the service’s payment policy. Ask the supervising social worker or fostering finance contact to clarify:

• which rate or payment category has been used;
• whether the amount includes a fee, maintenance element or approved expense;
• whether an additional payment needed separate authorisation;
• which dates the calculation covers; and
• how to raise a formal query or appeal if the explanation does not resolve the issue.

Keeping payment statements, written decisions, placement agreements and receipts for agreed expenses makes it easier to identify discrepancies and understand the effect of a future review. Before accepting an emergency placement, carers should ask where the applicable payment information is recorded and who will explain any later amendment.