Can foster carers receive extra payments for complex placements?

Extra payments for complex placements are usually additional amounts linked to the child’s assessed needs, the level of care required and the fostering service’s own payment policy. They are not an automatic entitlement for every placement described as complex. The fostering service should explain its criteria, how the payment is calculated and how long it is expected to continue before you agree to the placement.

The term complex placement does not have one legal definition used by every fostering service. It may describe a placement where a child or young person needs substantially more care, supervision, advocacy or specialist input than would normally be expected. Examples can include:

• significant emotional or behavioural needs;
• disabilities or medical needs requiring additional routines, appointments or supervision;
• the need for therapeutic or specialist support;
• high levels of risk that require a carefully planned safety approach;
• placing siblings together where their combined needs create additional demands; or
• a placement requiring unusually intensive work with education, health, social care or birth-family professionals.

These examples do not mean that an additional payment will automatically be approved. The decision should be based on the child’s individual circumstances and the practical demands of the proposed placement, rather than on a label alone.

How eligibility is usually considered

The fostering service will normally look at information available about the child, including their care plan, assessed needs, previous placement history, known risks and the support likely to be required. It may also consider the foster carer’s experience, skills, household circumstances and any training needed to provide the proposed care safely.

The assessment should identify what makes the placement more demanding than an ordinary placement. This might include additional appointments, closer supervision, restricted activities, complex communication needs, disrupted sleep, increased transport requirements or intensive support with behaviour and relationships. The relevant issue is not simply whether the child has an additional need, but how that need affects the care provided each day.

Ask the fostering service to distinguish between:

• the standard fostering allowance for the child’s everyday care;
• an additional payment linked to the complexity of the placement; and
• separate reimbursement for agreed costs, equipment, travel or activities.

These may be dealt with under different policies and may require different approvals. An additional payment should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate practical support, training, equipment or professional involvement.

When should the payment be agreed?

The payment should be discussed during matching and placement planning, before you make a final decision to accept the placement wherever possible. You should receive clear written information setting out the amount or method of calculation, the reason for the payment, its expected start date, how long it will apply and the circumstances in which it may be reviewed.

In some cases, a child’s needs become clearer only after the placement has started. If the level of care increases, or new information shows that the original assessment was incomplete, ask for the placement plan and payment decision to be reviewed. Keep a factual record of the additional care provided, appointments attended, incidents, professional recommendations and any changes to the child’s needs. This can help the fostering service assess whether the existing arrangement remains suitable.

Questions to ask before accepting a complex placement

• What specific needs have led to the placement being considered complex?
• What additional payment is proposed, and is it separate from the standard allowance?
• Is the amount fixed, tiered or decided on an individual basis?
• When will the payment begin, and is it time-limited?
• What events will trigger a review?
• Who has authority to approve or change the payment?
• Which costs are included in the payment and which can be claimed separately?
• What training, advice and professional support will be available?
• What should you do if the child’s needs increase after placement?

Do not rely on a verbal explanation alone. Request the relevant payment policy or a written placement agreement and check that it reflects what was discussed. If the proposed payment is conditional, ask what evidence is required and whether the condition relates to the child’s assessed needs, the care actually provided or a formal review.

Fostering services should also consider whether the placement is appropriate for your household and whether the support plan is realistic. A higher payment does not by itself make an unsuitable placement manageable. The matching decision should take account of your skills, other children or adults in the household, available space, training needs and the practical arrangements required to keep everyone safe.

For anyone considering fostering, comparing policies is useful because different services may use different names, approval routes and review arrangements for complex-placement payments. Ask for a detailed explanation of the policy before applying or before accepting a particular placement, and raise any change in the child’s needs promptly with your supervising social worker.