Please tell me about your mileage allowances, particularly if you foster for LA

[Candycoco]

Our LA was paying foster carers the average 45p p/mile for all fostering related journeys which covered fuel and wear and tear.

Recently though, we were told that they would not pay for any mileage unless it went over 12 miles a day, but we wouldn't be able to claim for the first 12 miles each day.

Myself and many other carers think this is very unfair, but the LA is saying there is a few pounds per week in the fostering allowance to cover mileage. However, there is now provision for wear and tear within that so we are now having to pay for that ourselves as we have to have a car to foster.

When I do over 100 miles every week for fostering that I wouldn't be doing otherwise, it's very frustrating especially as it's leading to extra repair costs. I have written to our LA stating my concerns, but it'd be really helpful to have an idea if this has happened to anyone else.

Please, if you will, tell me how you are reimbursed for mileage from your LA. Thank you.

We do 200+ per week for school runs, meeting etc and we are paid 45p per mile. The first 6 miles per day are discounted. But yes we still get an amount which covers the bulk of the fuel costs but wear and tear I would imagine we foot the bill ourselves.
Be interesting to see how the other LA's do things as well.
We are with Lancashire btw

We work for an IFA. Never had any costs paid towards travel, no mileage, nothing.

That's interesting CateringCalamities - 6 miles I think is fairer, be interesting to see if anyone else shares what they get.

Scandinavian1 - I'm guessing if you foster for an IFA you receive a higher weekly allowance which includes a percentage for mileage? LA usually pays a lot less so mileage would be paid separately.

Bit of difficult issue I know when LA are having to make cuts across all services. But I think it's really unfair that a social worker could claim mileage for attending a meeting for example, but I couldn't, even though we are both attending about the same child! (That's if it was under the 12 miles obviously)