Childcare support for foster families

Childcare for children in foster care 

Children in foster care, from the term after they turn 9 months, may receive 30 hours of childcare support over 38 term time weeks. Foster parents must meet the eligibility criteria so we can give foster families the same support as other families where it is right for the child. 

Eligibility

Children in foster care will be able to receive 30 hours of childcare support if the following criteria are met:

1. There must be agreement from the responsible local authority that the foster parent engaging in paid work outside their role as a foster parent is consistent with the child’s care plan.
2. The child’s social worker must agree that using the 30 hours childcare support is consistent with the child’s care plan.
3. This agreement should be recorded and updated as appropriate.

Single parent foster families

In single parent foster families, the foster parent must be engaging in paid work (including self-employment) outside their role as a foster parent. There is no minimum income requirement. They can also be on parental leave, or sick leave, or expect to start work or re-start work in the next 31 days. 

Two parent foster families

For two parent foster families to be eligible, either:

• both partners engage in paid work (including self-employment) outside their role as a foster parent (although there is no minimum income requirement for either foster parent): or
• one partner engages in paid work and the other partner receives certain qualifying benefits

If one partner is not a foster parent

If one partner is not a foster parent, then that partner must be in qualifying paid work (including self-employment) and earn a minimum of the equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage, unless they are receiving certain qualifying benefits.

Their income must not exceed £100,000 per year. Either partner can also be on parental leave, or sick leave, or expect to start work or restart work in the next 31 days. 

How to apply

Foster parents should complete the  application form which will be provided by the Brighton & Hove City Council Childcare Officer. This must be signed by the child’s social worker in order to show agreement that the working parent entitlement is in the best interests of the child.

The social worker will confirm that the foster parent(s) meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above.

Foster parent(s), and the foster parent’s partner (if applicable) will need to provide evidence to the social worker regarding their paid work or benefits.

This could include:

• pay slips
• a job offer letter
• evidence of self-employment (such as a tax return),
• proof of qualifying benefits
• evidence that they are on parental leave, or sick leave
• evidence that they expect to start work or re-start work in the next 31 days

The social worker will then send the completed form to the BHCC Childcare Officer, who will issue a letter of eligibility with an 11 digit code and provide this to the foster parent(s) and the social worker.

What happens next

If foster parent(s) need help with finding a childcare place, they should contact the Best Start Family Hubs service. Once they find a place, foster parent(s) should give their code to their childcare provider.

Foster parent(s) will need to re-confirm their eligibility every three months. At least four weeks before the deadline for re-confirmation, the childcare officer will contact the foster parent(s) and the social worker to remind them that they need to re-confirm eligibility.