What evidence is needed to qualify for a special fostering payment?

Evidence for a special fostering payment must show that the request meets the fostering service’s policy and that the proposed payment is justified for the particular placement. The service will normally check the carer’s approval status, the circumstances of the placement, the reason for the request, and the amount or period being sought before making a decision.

The exact requirements vary between fostering services and local authorities, so the relevant policy should be checked before documents are submitted. A payment may be discretionary rather than automatic, meaning that evidence is considered alongside the service’s approval procedures, available funding and decision-making arrangements.

Documents commonly requested can include:

• Placement records: current placement information, dates, agreed arrangements and records showing why the placement falls outside the circumstances normally covered by the standard fostering allowance.
• Information about the impact of the placement: supervision notes, review records, incident records, risk management documents or other professional records that demonstrate the practical effect of the child’s circumstances on the fostering household.
• Evidence of expenditure: estimates, invoices, receipts, mileage records or other documents supporting any additional costs included in the request. Where costs are ongoing, a forecast may be required as well as evidence of expenditure already incurred.
• Details of other funding: information about allowances, grants, benefits, equipment or services already available, so the fostering service can establish whether the requested payment would duplicate existing support.
• Carer and household information: confirmation that the applicants remain approved foster carers and that the household continues to meet the service’s requirements. Updated checks or records may be requested where circumstances have changed.
• Supporting reports: relevant reports from health, education, social care or other professionals, where these explain the circumstances that underpin the application. Only information relevant to the payment decision should be provided.

A fostering service may also ask for evidence that the proposed arrangement has been discussed with the supervising social worker, child’s social worker or another responsible professional. This helps establish whether the payment is connected to an agreed plan rather than being an informal request based only on anticipated difficulty.

When preparing an application, it is helpful to set out the request in a logical order:

• State the payment being requested and the period it should cover.
• Explain the placement circumstances that make the request necessary.
• Identify the practical consequences for the child and fostering household.
• List each cost or financial impact separately, with supporting documents beside it.
• Explain what other support or funding has been considered.
• Ask who has authority to approve the request and how the decision will be recorded.

Evidence should be dated, legible and consistent across the documents. For example, the dates in receipts, placement records and the application should match. If a cost is estimated, explain how the estimate was calculated and provide updated evidence when the actual cost becomes known. Keep copies of everything submitted and record any further information requested by the fostering service.

The service may need to redact information about other children, family members or professionals before documents are shared. Personal information should be provided through the secure process specified by the fostering service, and only information relevant to assessing the payment should be included.

If evidence is incomplete, the service may ask for clarification rather than reject the request immediately. A refusal should normally be explained by reference to the applicable policy or eligibility criteria. If the policy includes a review or appeal route, the carer can use further records or clarification to address the reason given for the decision. Written confirmation should state the payment agreed, any conditions attached to it, the period covered and when the arrangement will be reviewed.