Foster Carer Rights | Fusion Fostering

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Foster Carer Rights

Carers are responsible for the day-to-day care of children and young people that they foster.
Foster carers do not have legal responsibility for the children under their care.
Foster carers have a right to a fostering allowance and certain tax exemptions.

Foster parents look after children and young people who are placed in their care when they can no longer live with their parents. Independent fostering agencies, like Fusion Fostering, work with local authorities to find foster families for vulnerable children and young people who need care. These foster families are responsible for the day-to-day care of the child/children but do not have the same legal parental rights as birth parents do.

Role and Responsibilities

As a foster parent, the care you provide for a child or young person is always temporary. Unlike adoption where you become the legal guardians of the child, foster carers do not have the same rights and privileges surrounding a child’s care as the birth parents would have.

The legal rights regarding responsibility for the child’s care will remain with the local authority and/or with the birth parents when you foster. The foster carer does, however, have responsibility for the day-to-day care of the child, ensuring they have a safe, loving, and nurturing environment and that all their needs are catered to. The placing local authority will create a care plan for each child placed which clearly states that foster parents are expected to:

Care for the child as part of a team, respecting the input of social workers, health professionals, school staff, and other professionals
Keep records about the foster child as well as attend meetings
Help manage the child’s behaviour, feelings, and education
Attend training sessions (where required) to ensure they have all the skills needed to be a great foster carer

Fusion Fostering will ensure that all foster parents are clear about their roles and responsibilities and we respect carers as a valued member of our team.

Decision Making

When it comes to making decisions about the child’s ongoing care and needs, the opinions of foster parents are highly valued. We will expect carers to attend meetings and always advocate for the child, ensuring their very best interests are at the centre of every decision that is made. Where foster carers are able to make day to day decisions about placed children and young people, this would be a part of the child or young person’s care plan.

Time Off Work

If you choose to foster, it is a requirement that you have enough time in your life to dedicate yourself to caring for a child full-time. If you currently work, it is important that you are aware that foster carers do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children. If you choose to foster, you will be required to prove during the assessment process, that you have the time and resources to fully look after a child.

Fostering Allowance and Tax Relief

As a foster carer, you will receive a fostering allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child. The payment is broken down into two parts – the allowance, which is intended to cover the complete costs of childcare, and the professional fee, which is given in recognition of your time, dedication, and hard work as a foster carer. You can find out more about how much foster parents are paid by visiting our webpage here.

It is important to know that as a foster carer, you have the right to access certain tax relief arrangements. You are also entitled to claim certain types of benefits. You can find more information about your tax rights on the government website.

If you’re interested in joining our amazing team of carers, please get in touch. Our friendly team is always available to answer your questions and help you take the first steps in your journey to foster with us. Please call 03301 239355, or click here to fill out our contact form.