Please could you tell me your 2021-22 weekly foster care allowances for all age bands, NOT including any fee/reward element for foster carers.
The standard fostering allowance is £213.01 per week with an element of expectation that the carer attends 6 training events and 6 support groups with in the year, this will increase the weekly amount to £329.07.
There are no age bands on the fostering allowance, there is however, an element that is child related, subject to the child needs the weekly payment can be enhanced £419.09 or enhanced plus £489.09 these increases are based on a Needs Criteria.
Please detail any allowances that ALL foster carers can claim in addition to their weekly allowance, e.g. holiday allowance or mileage.
Holiday opportunities for children and young people in care should be made available and discussed with the child’s social worker and fostering Supervising Social Worker and agreed as part of the Care Plan. For example, where children accompany foster carers on holiday the carer will receive the holiday allowance. The holiday allowance will also be paid to carers taking holidays which are at home and day trips.
Occasionally in respect of older teenagers and their individual circumstances, for example, when they are clearly stating they do not want to go on holiday or for day trips with their foster carer, consideration can be given to funding activities/days out for the young person as an alternative.
If the foster carer is not providing a holiday or day trips, the holiday allowance may be used to pay for a holiday experience elsewhere. For example, a school trip abroad or residential holiday.
Holiday allowances are not applicable in situations where the child is visiting or staying over with relatives or friends of the carer. Payments are not made automatically, they must be claimed by foster carers in advance of the planned holiday. The resource request form must be submitted by the child’s social worker.
Holiday allowances are paid once a year for each child. Where children move placement during the year and the first carer has already received the holiday allowance, any payment to the second carer will be at the discretion of the child’s social worker and Team Manager considering the child’s needs. The amount paid is £426.02.
Birthday and Festival allowances – These payments are intended to cover the costs of gifts, entertainment and incidental expenses. Payments are made around the relevant time to allow carers to buy gifts. If a child moves placement within two weeks of the birthday or festival, either the gifts or the allowance will transfer to the new placement. Where children in placement observe a religious festival other than Christmas, this should be discussed with their social worker. The allowance will still be paid before Christmas, and carers and social workers should agree when it is most appropriately spent.
Age group Birthdays & Festivals 0-4 £100.00, 5-10 £164.80, 11-15 £205.24, 16+ £249.71
Mileage – Carers can claim all allowable transport costs associated with the child. It is expected that wherever possible and appropriate, carers will be responsible for the transport of children in placement.
Allowable costs include journeys: • to school or college, unless a significant distance is involved, then transport arrangements will be negotiated with carers or provided by DCC • to doctors, dentists, hospitals and other therapeutic clinics • to make contact with family members and others, as negotiated with carers and detailed in the Care Plan • in connection with the potential placement of a child. Fostering Devon will also meet the transport costs through the relevant finance clerk for carers attending: • Fostering Devon meetings, including support groups • court • training events.
Other transport costs can be claimed where activities have been previously agreed with the social worker, or form part of the child’s Care Plan. Carers can claim mileage for attending training courses or Support Groups.. The rate for mileage will be at the current Devon County Council rate, currently 45p per mile.
Please could you tell me your 2021-22 weekly allowances for former foster carers looking after young people in 18+ Staying Put arrangements, broken down by year 1, year 2, and year 3 if necessary.
Staying Put Allowance is paid at £270.76 per week and can be paid until the age of 21.