Information on Fostering Allowances (Part 2)
Professional foster payments / allowances
Most agencies that place children on these schemes accept that they should look to meet the very particular and individual needs of these children and reflect this specialised task in both the organisation of the scheme and the payments that are made to these foster carers. The separation of children who fall within, or outside of these schemes is never perfect and can be argued in many instances. If you feel a particular child should be included in one of these schemes you should discuss this with your support worker.
Many departments operate these schemes where additional payments are made to foster carers who care for children with particular needs. Most schemes require that these needs should be seen as "beyond the scope of most foster carers". This does not mean that there are not any foster carers outside of these schemes that are managing to care for some particularly needy, demanding and difficult children, there are many!
You should note that there is no nationally agreed scheme and payments, the criteria for being placed on a scheme and the demands placed upon foster carers vary widely.
School Uniform allowances
Many agencies will pay a set figure when a young person has to attend a new school where a uniform is required. Some will also pay an additional amount when the young person in foster care starts working.
Settling In allowance
Most agencies recognise that there are additional expenses incurred by foster carers when the child is first placed with them. Most will either pay a set figure or reimburse you for the expenditure you actually incur but make sure to check this out before spending any money on their behalf.
Travelling allowances
Some of the travelling you might need to do concerning a child you foster is already included in the amount that you will receive in the basic fostering allowance. However, when you attend meetings or have to take the child to hospital appointments or for family contact, that are a distance away, you may be eligible for an additional payment.
When applying to foster your support worker should be able to advise you about all of these allowances.
