Kinship care policy

As detailed above, when determining whether a child needs warrant additional financial help, a detailed assessment of the child and the carer's circumstances will be carried out. In considering the needs of the child, factors that will be taken into account include:

• The nature of any identified needs and whether these are being met by existing Health or other Local Authority provision.
• The costs of providing for the child's assessed needs
• The resources (including financial resources) available to the carer.
• Any recommendations made by Panel.
• The financial needs and resources of the child

The assessment will involve the completion of a detailed financial assessment, the carer will be required to provide supporting evidence so that income (assessed as if the child were placed without the payment of financial support) can be compared with a family's outgoings to determine what (if any) disposable income is available to the carer to address the child's needs.

When determining whether additional support is necessary, it is again emphasised that it is not the role of the Council to maintain carers incomes and that in assuming responsibility for a child entails a degree of commitment and responsibility.

Details of the assessment process are set out below, but typically additional financial support can only be considered if the Kinship Finance and Support Panel agree that meeting a child's needs cannot be met from the resources available to the family.

Income

All income must be declared and documentation to support the declarations must be provided as follows:

• Net wages or salaries from an employer (for both partners in the case of couples) before any contributions to a company pension scheme.
• When providing monthly salary or weekly wage an average should be taken, (3 months' salary or 8 weeks for weekly wages). Figures should include overtime and any other regular earnings.
• Proof of income in the form of the most recent payslips will also need required

Carers who are self-employed must forward an Inland Revenue Approved Statement of Drawings for the previous tax year alongside any application. A statement of expected drawings for the current year may also be asked for, in order to assess current income for the year if it is expected to be substantially different from the previous year, or if a full year's Inland Revenue statement is not available.

Benefits, allowances and pensions

Carers must declare details of all benefits and allowances they receive, including all state and private pensions (including those paid for disabilities), Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Housing Benefit, Sickness Benefit and any Child Benefits and Child Tax Credits linked to child(ren) already in the household.

Monies received under a Maintenance or Separation Order, or from the Child Support Agency are also classed as income under the assessment and will be included in the income calculations.

Households in receipt of DLA / PIP must declare this as income, however, if these funds are not used to contribute towards general household expenses but instead address a specific need on the part of the carer, details of these costs should be listed in the spending section of the assessment.

Savings and investments

Carers with savings, investments or other assets (including property) valued in excess of £25,001 must declare these, similarly, income from lodgers, tenants, sub-tenants, or rental income must also be declared.

Financial resources associated with the child

Any financial support offered by the Council must compliment and not duplicate support available to parents from the tax and benefits systems.

Carers are expected to claim child benefits and child tax credits. Similarly, carers with children with a disability should apply for a DLA/PIP and where appropriate to apply for a Carers Allowance.

In some circumstances, the Council may make Section 17 support payments for a period of 8 weeks, to assist carers whilst they claim benefits and tax credits and the application is processed.

It should be noted that any carer who fails to declare the receipt of these benefits may have the allowance suspended until appropriate evidence is provided.

Whilst any lump sum payment or Trust Fund held in the child's name must be declared, along with any regular payment received in respect of the child, these will not affect allowance payments.

Spending and outgoings

In order to determine what (if any) surplus income a family may have available to meet a child's needs, details of all spending by carers should be recorded on the assessment, costs should include:

• Monthly Mortgage / Rental costs • Council Tax - most Councils charge monthly for ten months only, so if a monthly figure is given, it will be multiplied by ten to give an annual figure. If a rebate is given, the net figure must be declared.
• Other Utility Bills (Gas & Electric)
• Water Charges
• Mobile Phone Costs
• TV / Internet Costs
• Transport expenses (including car payments, petrol etc.)
• Food costs
• Clothing
• Details of any family activities
• Details of any insurance
• Details of any loans, HP agreements etc.
• Any commitments under a Court Order include such things as payments made under a Separation or Maintenance Order.

In addition to the above details of any other regular expenses not covered in the classifications but which the carer is already committed, or which are related to the placement, should also be declared. Examples include costs associated with a carer's disability and therapies, contact costs associated with the child.