financial support for foster carers

[lijaco]

Hi we have a special gaurdianship order for our Grandson. He has lived with us since he was a baby. Last year I received a letter from our local council to say that they had made a mistake with our financial support. They told us that they had not deducted the child benefit from us. They told us that we owed them £1800 but would not ask us to pay it back. They reduced our weekly payment, and I am now going through a complaints procedure. In my special gaurdianship report it clearly states our weekly payments, and that we would also receive child benefit as an addition. I have been told this was a mistake. After complaining about this situation I have been told that foster carers receive the same weekly amount as me but a little more as they don't receive child benefit. I used to receive £126 per week, and now receive £115. Without being a cheeky question are they being honest with me. Does this amount sound like the correct amount a foster carer would receive for a 5 year old. As I have complained about the inequalities between a family carer and a foster carer financially. I would appreciate any feedback :)

[scarlet5tyger]

Hi Lijaco, I receive £112 per week for each child under 2 that I foster. I think it's £114 if they're 2 and over. In my LA family carers and foster carers are paid exactly the same, but it looks like you'd be worse off!

Hope that helps.

[scarlet5tyger]

Forgot to add, they're right about the child benefit too. FCs cannot claim it as its seen to be part of the £112 we receive.

[lijaco]

Thanks for your response scarlet

[Gymbob]

Hi, yes foster carers do not receive (at least not in my LA) child benefit, it is included in the weekly allowance. In my LA payments for 5 - 10 year olds is £126 per week. On top of that is an enhanced payment made according to the foster carers skill level. That bumps it up substantially.

Do you receive a skill payment on top?

[queststarz]

Hi
our is broken down age 5-10 = £98 basic, £37 clothing and £14 personal, so nearly £150 per week. Then as Gymbob said you can work your way up to a skills payment over time.

The recommended payment for foster carers on the fostering network is a lot more than you're getting, might be worth referring them to it?

www.fostering.net/all-about-fostering/resources/good-practice-guidance/fostering-networks-recommended-minimum-allowanc

?Age 5-10: £153.20 =2012 (£149.76 = 2011) - so my LA are obviously guided by this

[lijaco]

Thanks for all your feedback :)