Do emergency foster carers receive financial support?

Financial support for emergency foster care is intended to help meet the costs of caring for a child and recognise the responsibilities involved. It is not normally treated as a standard wage. The payment arrangement depends on the fostering provider, the type of placement, the child’s needs and the circumstances of the emergency arrangement.

Fostering allowance is paid to contribute towards the everyday costs of caring for a child. This can include food, clothing, household bills, personal items, transport and activities. The allowance should be used to support the child’s care and should be considered alongside the practical requirements of the placement, rather than as unrestricted income.

Additional payments may apply where the child’s circumstances create extra responsibilities or costs. For example, an arrangement may need particular equipment, additional travel, specialist activities or other agreed expenditure. Whether these costs are included in the regular allowance or dealt with separately will depend on the terms provided by the fostering service.

Emergency placements can involve limited information at the point a child arrives, so the financial arrangements should be confirmed as soon as the placement is discussed. Before accepting, ask the supervising social worker or placement team:

• What allowance and other payments apply to this placement?
• When will payments begin, and how will they be made?
• How are part-week or short placements calculated?
• Which items are covered by the allowance and which costs can be claimed separately?
• Who approves additional expenditure, such as travel, clothing or equipment?
• What records or receipts are needed for expenses?
• Does the payment arrangement change if the child’s needs or the length of the placement changes?

It is important to keep agreed financial information with the child’s placement details. Emergency care may involve purchases at short notice, but foster carers should normally seek approval before committing to significant costs unless there is an immediate safeguarding or welfare reason to act. Keep receipts and make a note of why an expense was necessary, as this can make reimbursement easier to assess.

Payments can also be affected by changes during the placement. A child may need different support, the arrangement may continue for longer than first expected, or a decision may be made to move the child elsewhere. The fostering service should explain how these changes affect allowances, additional expenses and any final payment.

Foster carers should also ask how fostering payments are treated for tax and benefits purposes. Rules can depend on the individual’s circumstances and can change, so information from the fostering service should be checked against current guidance or independent professional advice. The financial discussion is part of deciding whether emergency fostering is suitable: prospective carers need to understand both the support available and the costs they may be expected to meet themselves.

During assessment and preparation, the fostering team should explain the applicable rates, payment schedule, expenses policy and any conditions attached to financial support. Ask for this information in writing and raise questions before accepting an emergency placement, so that the arrangement is clear for everyone involved.