15 and 30 hours for working foster parents 

Children in foster care may receive 15 or 30 hours of childcare support where the foster parent(s) meet the eligibility criteria, giving foster families the same support as other families where it is right for the child.

Eligibility

• 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. The agreement that the foster parents can use the 15 or 30 hours childcare support should be recorded and the care plan for the child should be updated as appropriate.
  
• That, in single parent foster families, the foster parent engages in paid work outside their role as a foster parent, although there is no minimum income requirement.
• And in 2 parent foster families, either both partners engage in paid work 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, then that partner must be in qualifying paid work and earn a minimum of the equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum, unless they are receiving certain qualifying benefits.

The child’s social worker must agree that using the 15 or 30 hours childcare support is consistent with the child’s care plan.

In single parent foster families, the foster parent must be engaging in some paid work (including self-employment) in addition to their role as a foster parent. They can also be on parental leave, or sick leave, or expect to start work or re-start work in the next 31 days.

In two parent families where both parents are foster carers, both must be engaging in some paid work (including self-employment) outside their role as a foster parent, or if one partner is not working, they must be in receipt of qualifying benefits.

In two parent families where one partner is not a foster parent, the foster parent must be engaging in some paid work (including self- employment) outside their role as a foster parent. In addition, the partner who is not a foster parent must be working and earning the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at national minimum wage or be in receipt of qualify 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 re-start work in the next 31 days.

How to apply

Foster parents should complete the relevant application form, provided by the Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) 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 interest 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), or proof of qualifying benefits, or evidence that they are on parental leave, or evidence that they are on sick leave, or 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 Family Hubs service on 01273 293545 or email childcare@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Once a childcare place has been found, 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 Brighton & Hove City Council Childcare Officer will contact the foster parent(s) and the social worker to remind them that they need to re-confirm eligibility.

For all other queries please contact familyhubs@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 293545