Private Fostering Financial Support

[BowsandBaking]

I’m looking for some advice please. I have three additional children living with me (I already have two), indefinitely. I am awaiting my initial Private Fostering appointment with social services. Local services are aware but are being slow to act due to them not having any safeguarding concerns as they know me well as I have a lot of support for my disabled child.

Their mother has asked me to house them because she’s unable to cope due to a change in circumstances and poor mental health.

I’m struggling to find out what financial support I can get, as I have a low income due to being a carer for my disabled son. I am a single mother and receive Universal Credit. Cost of living is expensive and I’ve had to buy them clothing, feed them etc.

Also. The mother is refusing to let me have the child benefit payment and is still claiming UC for having the children, even though they’re housed with me. She’s saying she needs the money more than the children with me because she’s in financial hardship.

Unfortunately for private fostering there is nothing specific you can apply for or are entitled to. The child’s parent/s must provide the financial support but obviously sometimes they can’t or don’t want to.

There is the UC & Child Benefit but as mum is claiming those then you can’t.

Worth having a look at your council as they can offer financial support for things like a bed/furniture for child and is assessed by social services to determine need.

You can make the relevant claims for UC and CB, you have proof (presumably through GP and school records) that the children are living with you. Therefore your claim should be processed and hers stopped or suspended

If the children will be CHIN for a while you can ask for support under s17, but that is likely to be signposting to charities who can help with furniture etc, or referrals to food banks.

Put in a claim for the child benefit. It will be messy but it's the only way.

Alternatively you alert social services for them to be taken into care.

she us breaking the law by claiming money for them so definitely sort that. If social services are involved already they can support with that. And maybe look at a special guardianship arrangement and ask for a financial assessment . It will be much cheaper to keep them with you than formal fostering so be prepared to negotiate with them. You need to be upfront about needing financial support and it should be looked at as part of the assessment process.

Foster carer’s cannot claim child benefit for fostered child.

you can according to the gov website if it is a private fostering arrangement. You can also claim other benefits as well.

She isnt a foster carer. Its a private arrangement called private fostering, there are criteria about what relationship to the child you need to be to do this, but if she meets the criteria it is a private fostering arrangement and should make the relevant claims now that the children are in her care

She may be wise to seek legal advice about whether she wants to seek an CAO or SGO or whether this is to be very short term, however if mum is already not playing ball that doesnt bode well