Valuing Foster CarersFoster Swansea is committed to providing excellent care for childrenand young people with foster carers who are assessed, supportedand rewarded appropriately for the commitment that they give. Wevalue every carer individually and recognise the important task thatthey undertake as foster carers for vulnerable children and youngpeople in the community.

Foster Swansea strives to invest in our looked after children to ensurethey have stable care journeys, with high quality carers. Foster carersare always adequately financed to fulfil their role and meet theneeds of children and young people.

Contact usFor approved Foster Swansea carers we have a team dedicated tofoster carer payments and they can be contacted at:

Procurement & Payments

Social Services Department

3rd Floor, Oldway Centre

Orchard Street

Swansea

SA1 5LD

01792 636059 or 636258Emaill: softbox.remittances@swansea.gov.uk

If you are interested in finding out more about fostering for the Local Authority contact 0300 555 0111

Visit our website www.fosterswansea.org

www.twitter.com/FosterSwansea

Introduction to Foster Carer Finance

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Foster carer finance consists of 2 elements:

a) Allowances for the child - The allowance paid for the child is based on research from the WelshGovernment on National Minimum Allowances for foster carers and research by the FosteringNetwork, the UK’s leading charity for foster care.

b) Carer fees - Foster Swansea carers receive a carer fee for every child placed with them toacknowledge the skills and time required to undertake the fostering task.

Allowances for the child

Age Weekly amount

0-4 £134.12

5-10 £146.30

11+ £178.71

Carer fees

Standard weekly fee Enhanced weekly fee

£136.15 £161.28

Further information about the difference between thestandard and enhanced weekly carer fees can befound on page 5.

How we payFostering allowances and fees are paid fortnightly –one week in arrears and the current week – directlyinto a bank account. Foster carers will be asked tocomplete a form providing their bank details toenable payments to begin. Payments are normallymade by BACS every other Friday (some changesmay occur over bank holiday periods). Foster carerswill receive a remittance advice detailing thepayment.

Guidance on Foster Carer Finance

0300 555 0111 3

Allowances should cover the everyday and regular expenses associated with caring fora foster child.

Foster Swansea recognises that every child has individual needs. The total weekly amount to bespent on each child can be used at the carer’s discretion and in consultation with their supervisingsocial worker. Please note: although allowances for the child are displayed as weekly amounts, youmay not need to use certain elements every week e.g. you may not need to buy clothes every week

Allowances for children/young people are paidto foster carers to cover the full cost of caringfor children/young people and includes thefollowing elements;

� Food: This covers eating at home and eating out. It also includes school lunches and food providedfor contact.

� Clothing: This covers the cost of all clothing including school uniform and clothing for activities.

� Transport: Everyday travel costs including transporting to and from school, activities, contactvisits and your attendance at meetings for the child/young person.

� Personal: Such as meeting the costs of personal care e.g. toiletries and any cultural needs. Also, attending parent and toddler groups, swimming lessons, leisure activities, trips to thecinema and learning a musical instrument.

� Pocket money: Pocket money should be fair and equal for allchildren/young people in the household. Pocket money shouldbe age appropriate and children should be encouraged tosave to buy special items and treats.

� Savings: Every foster child in placement for longer than 3 months must have a savings account. Foster carersshould pay into the savings account on a regular basisusing money from the child’s allowance.

� Household: This includes: utility and energy costs, generalwear and tear and repair of furnishings and the home,insurances and other expenses associated with the house.

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Breakdown of allowances for the child

Allowances for the child

Age Weekly amount

0-4 £134.12

5-10 £146.30

11+ £178.71

0300 555 0111 5

Breakdown of carer feesFoster carer fees are paid at two rates

Carer fees are reviewed at least annually in line with the foster carers annual review process. Carers canmove between the Standard and Enhanced Fees depending on the approval status and availability to foster.

Guaranteed minimum income All carers will receive a single carer fee payment 52 weeks per year whether a child is placed or not,providing you are available to foster, which means accepting placements that are “matched” to yourskills and abilities and you are open to caring for children of any age. Being open and flexible in theage range of children you care for means being approved for any of the following age ranges, 0-18, 5-18, 0-11 or 11-18 years.

Solo PlacementsSome children need to be placed in an environment without other children or young people. This isreferred to as a solo placement. When a request for a solo placement is received we may ask carerswho are approved for more than one child to consider caring for a solo placement.If this means that you will have an unfilled vacancy (empty bedroom) then we will pay an additionalcarer fee for the duration of the solo placement to recognise your approval status.

Entitlement to a breakWe recognise the importance of taking a break and all carers will receive up to 2 weeks paid break peryear.It is best to take this break between placements when possible. If you take this break, you willreceive a single carer’s fee and the respite foster carer who is looking after the child/young person forthat period, will receive the child’s allowance to cover the costs of the care of the child while they arewith them. It is important to acknowledge that looking after vulnerable children/young people is not thesame as a 9am - 5pm job and wherever possible all looked after children should be welcomed onfamily holidays with their foster carers.

Babysitting, Day Care and Overnight StaysFoster carers own support networks should be used for babysitting arrangements when possible ascaring for looked after children within your own support networks will assist children to feel secure andfully included in the fostering family. Foster carers can also benefit from identifying another FosterSwansea carer as a “buddy”, to offer mutual day care/babysitting support. During these situations,financial arrangements should be agreed informally when relevant.

Personal and Professional Development Every foster carer has unique skills and qualities to offer to looked after children. We recognise thatmany carers will have professional qualifications related to caring for children. Others may havevaluable personal experience to support them in the fostering task. In order to grow as a foster carer and learn new skills we expect all Foster Swansea carers to commit to aminimum attendance at three training courses per year in order to maintain their registration as a carer.Fostering is increasingly recognised as a professional task and to validate this profession all carers areexpected to achieve a QCF or equivalent qualification during their fostering career. This is funded byFoster Swansea.

Standard carer fee: £136.15 Criteria:

1) Foster carers caring for onechild aged under 11 years

2) Foster carers providing support care

3) Foster carers providing respite care

Enhanced carer fee: £161.28Criteria:

1) Foster carers caring for sibling groups or morethan one child/young person

2) Foster carers caring for children/young peoplewith additional needs e.g. children with disabilities

3) Foster carers caring for children/young peopleaged 11 years and over

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Additional paymentsPayment Type

Day care

Amount

£20 half day£30 full day

Conditions

Day care is paid for acarer to attend training,meetings orappointments when thecarers own supportnetworks aren’t available

Notes

Carers can also pay eachother at the rates stated ifthey require day care forpersonal reasons. FosterSwansea must always beinformed and in agreement

Birthdays £50 Paid towards providing fora child on their birthday

Christmas /Religiousfestival

Age dependent:0-4 = £90.385-10 = £110.1911+ = £205.04

Paid towards providing fora child during Christmasor religious festivals

Holidays Age dependent:0-4 = £190.635-10 = £216.2411+ = £310.17

Paid to assist with thecost of the summerholiday period

Foster carers are encouragedto take their foster children onholiday. Carers are requiredto budget their allowancesto cover the full cost of theholiday

Exceptionalcosts

Age dependent:0-10 = £8011+ = £100

This can be provided tofoster carers who offercare to a child/youngperson on an emergencybasis and who have fewor no belongings

This ensures that you canpurchase night clothes,dressing gown,toothbrushes and otherbasic items that are neededimmediately

Travel 44.9p per mile Travelling expenses can beclaimed when journeys over20 miles per day are madewhich have been agreed aspart of the child’s care plan

Journeys under 20 milesper day are covered withinthe child’s allowance

Equipment Variable We can order and pay forsome equipment forchildren e.g. equipment forchildren with disabilitiesand other safety items

Recommendinga Foster carer

£100 This is paid when anapplicant you recommendis approved at FosterSwansea’s Panel

For approved Foster Swansea foster carer, further guidance on payments is available in theFoster Carer’s Handbook and in the frequently asked questions document.