Which placement costs can special fostering payments cover?

Special fostering payments are additional funds agreed for a specific placement when a child or young person has costs that fall outside the ordinary day-to-day expenses covered by the standard fostering allowance. The exact items differ between fostering services, so payment normally depends on an assessment of need, supporting evidence and approval under the service’s policy.

Costs that may be considered include:

• Specialist equipment: items needed because of a disability, medical condition, sensory need or developmental need. Examples might include specialist beds, safety equipment, mobility aids, communication equipment or other adaptations. The service may first check whether health, education or social care funding should meet the cost.
• Travel and transport: additional journeys connected with school, appointments, therapy, contact with family members, assessments or activities. This may include higher travel costs where ordinary transport is unsuitable, although mileage rules and eligible journeys are usually set out separately.
• Contact arrangements: costs associated with maintaining safe and agreed contact, such as travel, venue hire, refreshments or supervision where these are necessary for the approved arrangement. The payment is not normally a replacement for the contact plan itself; the social worker must agree how contact is to take place.
• Activities and interests: additional costs for an activity that supports the child’s wellbeing, development, identity or participation with peers. A fostering service may consider fees, equipment or transport where the activity is appropriate and linked to the child’s assessed needs.
• Education-related expenses: items or services that are not reasonably met through the usual education arrangements, such as specialist materials, additional transport or an agreed educational activity. The child’s school and other professionals may need to provide information before funding is approved.
• Health and therapeutic support: costs connected with an assessed emotional, behavioural, physical or health need where the relevant public service is unable to provide what is required, or where an interim arrangement has been agreed. Any treatment or therapeutic service should be approved by the appropriate professionals rather than arranged independently on the assumption that it will be reimbursed.
• Initial or placement-specific items: some services may help with exceptional costs when a child moves in, particularly where their age, history, size, cultural needs or personal circumstances mean that ordinary household items are not sufficient. The policy may distinguish between a one-off payment and an ongoing amount.
• Practical support: in more complex placements, an agreement may cover additional practical help, respite or other support designed to maintain the placement safely. This is usually considered alongside the child’s care plan and the foster carer’s support plan.

The fact that a cost relates to a child in foster care does not automatically make it eligible. Standard allowances are generally intended to contribute towards routine expenses such as food, ordinary clothing, household costs, personal care and normal leisure activities. A special payment is more likely to be considered where the expense is exceptional, clearly linked to the child’s assessed needs and difficult to meet from the usual allowance. The dividing line is determined by the individual fostering service, rather than by a single national list.

Costs commonly requiring particular scrutiny include items bought before approval, expenses that have already been paid by another organisation, purchases that remain the foster carer’s personal property, and costs arising because the service’s approval process was not followed. Some policies will not fund general household improvements, ordinary replacement items, unsecured loans or expenses that cannot be supported with receipts or other evidence. These are policy questions, so it is important not to assume that an item will be covered simply because it is expensive or beneficial.

Before spending money, ask the supervising social worker or fostering service to confirm:

• why the cost is considered necessary for this child;
• whether the service will pay the supplier directly or reimburse the foster carer;
• what limit, contribution or approval level applies;
• which quotes, receipts, reports or professional recommendations are required;
• whether the payment is one-off, recurring or subject to review; and
• what will happen if the placement ends or the child’s needs change.

A written agreement should identify the approved cost, the amount or calculation method, who is responsible for arranging it and any review date. Keep receipts and records even where the service has agreed the principle of payment, as reimbursement may depend on evidence of the actual expense. For recurring costs, keep the arrangement under review because a child’s needs, placement plan or access to other funding may change.

Where the cost is substantial or relates to health, education, transport or contact, several professionals may need to contribute to the decision. The fostering service may refer the request to the child’s social worker, placement panel, finance team or another relevant authority. If a request is refused, ask for the reason and whether there is an internal review or appeals process. A clear explanation of the child’s needs, the likely impact if the cost is not met and the evidence supporting the request can help the service assess it consistently.

In practical terms, special fostering payments should be treated as placement-specific funding, not as an automatic increase to the standard allowance. Confirm eligibility and approval in writing before committing to a significant purchase or ongoing service.