Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to increase the foster care allowance for children in kinship care.

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. They often take on this role at a time when they were least expecting to raise a family, and the department recognises the challenges they face.

In October 2024, the government announced £40 million to trial a new kinship allowance in some local authorities in England. We will test whether paying an allowance can help increase the number of children taken in by kinship carers. ​​We will share further details and the process for selecting local authorities in due course.​

Local authorities have the powers to provide a range of services, including financial support, to support children and families. As local authorities know their carers best, they have the power to decide what financial support should be provided, and any payments should be made in accordance with their model for assessing needs. The government does not set a maximum or minimum allowance. While the government recognises the financial constraints on local authorities, guidance makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare.