Fostering allowances and other payments April 2008 - March 2009

Foster carer level two weekly maintenance allowance

Applies to:

• foster carers approved by the fostering panel for specific children (family and friends carers) only
• newly approved general carers in their first year of service needing to undertake relevant courses
• carers approved by the adoption panel where child is placed for adoption (except if already a level three foster carer for that child)

Foster carer level three weekly maintenance allowance

Applies to:

• fully experienced foster carers who have at least one year’s experience and are approved to take a full range of placements
• Maintenance Allowance for all specialist carer schemes

* Note: A young person can be considered fostered up to and including the day of their 18th birthday.

Birthday and festival allowances

Birthday and festival allowances will be paid equivalent to one week’s level three Maintenance Allowance according to age-banded rates. All carers will receive level three rates regardless of their approved level.

• birthday - paid in the payment week before the week of the child’s birthday
• festival - paid at least two weeks before Christmas Day unless the carer or child elects to receive it at the time of another festival

Holiday allowances

Holiday allowances be paid equivalent to two weeks level three Maintenance Allowance paid once, according to age-banded rates. All carers will receive level three rates regardless of their approved level.

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