Levels allowances
The Nottinghamshire Fostering Scheme gives foster carers the chance to acknowledge their skills and to identify areas for development. The Scheme is set out in four Levels that reflect the experience, training and skills of the foster carers.
‘Level’s Allowances’ are for the foster carer(s) themselves, providing them with the opportunity for training and achievement, as recognition of their experience, knowledge and skills and by way of developing foster care for children and young people.
Each new Level pays an allowance which is in addition to the basic fostering allowance for each child or young person living in the foster home.
Level One:
- all newly approved carers go on to this Level for the first year of their fostering ‘career’. Carers who look after a child who is related to them will remain on this Level
Level Two:
- after a year at Level One and on completion of your National Fostering Standards Training with with experience of fostering a child for at least nine months, foster carers can be assessed for Level Two
- you will receive an additional £21.75 per child, per week on this Level
Level Three:
- after another year’s experience and supplementary training, carers can be assessed for Level Three
- you will receive an additional £43.50 per child, per week on this Level
Level Four:
- after a further two years’ experience and training, carers can work with their Supervising Fostering Worker to be assessed for Level Four
- you will receive an additional £106 per child, per week on this Level.
The extra Levels allowances have no effect on any benefits at all. As for income tax, £30 per child per week is wholly exempt.
