Foster carers receive an allowance for looking after the children that come into their home. This is seen as a source of income, and it varies depending on the type of placement you undertake and the number of children you look after. There are lots of practical reasons why a foster carer allowance is necessary, and lots of ways to use it properly too. This guide has four tips for making the most of this money that will support your placement to be the best it can be.
Why Do Foster Carers Need an Allowance?
Firstly, it is helpful to understand more about why this financial support exists. A foster carer is responsible for the children in their care all day and all night. This means there is little space for continuing in another career, because there is not time, and it is likely you won’t have the energy or the headspace for doing so. You can read more about what the allowance is at fosteringpeople.co.uk, but keep in mind that it exists as a practical means of support to facilitate your role as a carer. So, how should it be used?
To Provide the Foster Child with Everything They Need
It is a requirement of all foster agencies whether they are private or otherwise, that foster children have their own bedroom. However, even if you have a spare bedroom, you may not have the right furniture for it. You can use the allowance to make sure the room has everything it needs. Further to this, it can be spent on the child to top up their essential belongings like clothing and comfort items after they move in and you have made a thorough needs assessment.
For Days Out
There will also be a number of trips out of the house to provide enrichment and help the child have new experiences along the way. As a carer, you are responsible for buying tickets, food, provisions and so on during all of these excursions. While this is a great part of being a foster carer, it is naturally expensive, especially if you have birth children to include as well. Therefore, the fostering allowance is a great way to mitigate these costs and ensure nobody has to miss out on culturally educational experiences that will bring value and core memories into their life.
To Support Their Education
Another expense you may face is supporting a child’s education. While most schooling is free on the surface, there are a whole host of things that cost money like uniform, extracurricular clubs, and school supplies. You want to ensure that the child has everything they need to make school a positive experience, and this is a great path for making sure you can.
To Build Savings for Long-Term Foster Children
If you have a long-term foster child, they are likely to have no means of support for once they turn 18 and move out on their own. By creating a pot of savings for them, you are giving them a solid foundation for a stable financial future. This gift is the best one of all.
Foster carers should always use their allowance through the lens of how best to support their foster children.
