When the Local Authority is caring for a child, either voluntarily by agreement of their parents, or under a Care Order, then the child may be cared for by foster carers. If you are a family member or friend who is acting as a foster carer, then you will need to be approved as a foster carer by the Local Authority.  

You will need to be approved whether you want to care for the child short-term (for example, just while the proceedings are ongoing) or long-term (potentially until the child is an adult). 

Assessment: 

You will need to be assessed in order to be presented to the Local Authority’s Fostering Panel for approval. 

Usually this will be a two stage process – firstly you will have an initial viability assessment (“IVA”), ideally before you start caring for the child. If this is positive, then you will have a full assessment under Regulation 24 of The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. This must be completed within 16 weeks of the child being placed with you, but may be extended for a further 8 weeks in certain circumstances.  

This assessment process may take place whilst the child is with you – you do not have to wait to be approved to start caring for the child.  

It can be an intensive assessment – the Social Worker will need to know lots of information about you, and this information will have to be shared with the Fostering Panel and with the parties (including the parents) and Judge in Family Court. The information required includes medical history, Police checks and references from people who know you well. 

If you disagree with the outcome of either of your assessments, you may discuss this with the Social Worker, and you may still ask the Court to consider you caring for the child. 

More information about the legal process of Kinship Fostering

Effect: 

When you are a foster carer, you do not have Parental Responsibility for the child. The Local Authority and parents still make all major care decisions about the child, even though you will be looking after them day-to-day. It would be usual for a child in foster care to continue spending some time with their parents – whether occasionally or regularly.  

If you are caring for a child as an approved foster carer, or whilst you are in the assessment and approval process, you will be entitled to financial and practical support.  

Whilst the child remains in foster care, they will continue to have a Social Worker and there will continue to be regular involvement of Children’s Services, for example through ‘Child Looked After Reviews’ and annual medical assessments of the child. 

Information about Kinship fostering, including how to become one 

Kinship foster carers in Hertfordshire receive a wide range of support to help them in their caring role.

• Financial – A fostering allowance is paid to all foster carers. This is a fixed rate allowance and is not means tested meaning all foster carers are eligible for it. There is also the potential for increased payments following completion of training and a skills workbook. The fostering allowance will cease when the child or young person reaches the age of 18 or if they permanently leave the care of the foster carers and are placed elsewhere. Approved foster carers - payment policy 2025-26 | Hertfordshire County Council 

• Staying Put – Staying Put enables young people to remain in their foster placements after their 18th birthday so that they can continue to be supported with the transition to adulthood. Foster carers continue to receive a reduced allowance with the young person offering contributions through education, employment or benefits. Eligibility criteria is outlined in the Staying Put Policy. 

• Professional support – You will be allocated a Supervising Social Worker with monthly visits and ongoing support.  You’ll also have access to Fostering Out of Hours support line and education advice from the Virtual School. 

• Training – A wide range of training is available on topics relevant to fostering and child development.  
  
  Online webinars are also available on topics such as managing contact, financial entitlement, attachment and development trauma

• Peer support – You’ll have access to support groups, a buddy system, and Kinship Care family fun days. Children can also be matched with sleepover carers to offer planned and regular respite, or you could join a Mockingbird Hub which is an extended family model that provides emotional and practical support to families, sleepovers, support groups and social activities for children and carers. More information about the Mockingbird Hubs can be found here: Planting seeds of support: Building foster care communities with Mockingbird  

• Memberships – You will receive membership to The Fostering Networking, offering additional advice, resources and support. Once you become an approved foster carer, you will be sent an email confirming your membership and how to access resources on offer.

• Skills to Foster - for Kinship carers, based on the Uk’s preparation training course for prospective foster carers produced by The Fostering Network.  Hertfordshire have adapted their own preparation course for Kinship carers to reflect approaches that underpin fostering practice.  It is is a child centred, relationship based, trauma informed programme that incorporates ideas and principles from the reflective Fostering Programme by Anna Freud. 

  • Child-centred: It prioritizes the needs, voice, and experiences of kinship children.
  • Relationship-based: It emphasizes the importance of secure, nurturing relationships.
  • Trauma-informed: It acknowledges the impact of trauma and promotes sensitive, supportive care.
  • Reflective: Drawing from the Anna Freud Centre’s Reflective Fostering Programme, it encourages kinship carers to think deeply about their role and the child’s emotional world.

• The Kinship Parenting Program (KPP) - has been developed to provide therapeutic support to carers throughout their Kinship journey.
  This program is thoughtfully tailored to reflect each carer's current and historical circumstances, as well as their preferred learning style. Sessions are adapted from several accredited approaches and delivered on a one-to-one basis across seven sessions.

  Key topics include:

  • Developmental trauma
  • Attachment models
  • Identifying and managing triggers
  • The PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)
  • And many more relevant areas

  We are also pleased to offer group Kinship Parenting workshops for approved carers, delivered over a two-day period.

  For further information on either Kinship program please contact your Supervising Social Worker (SSW).

• Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW),available to children in Kinship Fostering, is a powerful, child-centred approach that helps children and young people make sense of their past, understand their present, and shape their future. Unlike traditional life story books, TLSW actively involves children in exploring their experiences and emotions through creative tools like drawings, timelines, and memory boxes.  This process supports emotional wellbeing, strengthens relationships with carers and builds a child’s sense of identity and resilience.  In Kinship, we work with carers in a variety of ways to find the best way to share a child’s story.  This could include helping a carer to think about how to share their narrative, learn more or access support, please speak to your Supervising Social Worker.

• Out of County support group

  An online support group for Kinship Foster Carers who live outside of Hertfordshire.

  The links can be sent by contacting us

• See support for all Kinship Carers

Contact us

To discuss anything related to Kinship Fostering, speak to your supervising social worker
or contact Kinship 1 (West and South Herts) on 01442 453595
or Kinship 2 (North and East Herts) on 01438 844247
or email sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk

When an extended family member or friend is caring for a child, for a period of 28 days or more, because of an arrangement by the parent(s) or other person with parental responsibility.  In private fostering, the kinship carer cannot be a ‘relative’ as defined in the Children Act 1989 – so it can’t be the child’s parents or anyone else who holds parental responsibility for them, or their grandparents, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or step parent. 

In this kind of arrangement, the Local Authority or Family Court have not made the decision or arrangements about where the child will live. 

More information about the legal process of Private Fostering

There are specific rules that require the Local Authority to be notified of a private fostering arrangement, and for the Local Authority to then do checks on the arrangement to make sure it is safe for the child. If you are privately fostering a child, you should let the Local Authority know in advance of the arrangement, or as soon as possible if it has already started. 

The Social Worker may be able to offer advice, and will undertake visits in certain timescales to check on the child. 

The private foster carer will have day-to-day care of the child, but will not have parental responsibility for the child. 

This chart details more information about what Private Fostering is, why it was introduced and why it’s important to notify of Private Fostering Arrangements. 

Children in Private Fostering arrangements may benefit from additional information. This children’s guide is designed to help children better understand what Private Fostering means.

• Hertfordshire’s Private Fostering Policy

• Information about Private fostering, including how to become one

The local authority has a duty to assess the child’s needs under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. As part of this assessment, support services may be recommended based on the child’s and carer’s circumstances. Private foster carers can also access: 

• Financial – There is no specific allowance for private fostering. Parents remain financial responsible for their child and the Child Maintenance Service can be approached if needed. Private foster carers are encouraged to apply for any relevant benefits they may be entitled to in their own right.  

• Training - Online webinars are also available on topics such as managing contact, financial entitlement, attachment and development trauma via Kinship.org.uk. Information and signposting from the local authority

• Short breaks - Fostering Short stays info

• Kinship Parenting Programme workshops.

  These 2 day workshops are designed to support with Therapeutic Parenting, topics covered include:

  • Developmental trauma
  • Attachment models
  • Identifying and managing triggers
  • The PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)

  Places can be booked by contacting us
  
  

• Life Story drop ins

  These sessions are for Kinship carers who need support to talk with their child about their Kinship care journey.

  Sessions take place one to one online for 45 minutes and will support with tailored narratives and how to support your child with the information provided.

  Places can be booked by contacting us

Contact us 

To discuss anything related to Private Fostering, contact: privatefosteringduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk  or 0300 1234043  

A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is an order that the Family Court can make, which will decide who the child should live with and/or who they should spend time with. This will usually give whoever is named in the order parental responsibility for the child, to be shared with the child’s parent(s) – meaning that decisions about the child should be made jointly with the parents. 

The Local Authority is unlikely to be involved in this kind of placement, but may offer some support.  

Information about Child Arrangement Orders 

Support may be available depending on the child’s needs and circumstances: 

• Financial – You may be eligible to apply for a means-tested, discretionary Child Arrangement Order allowance from the local authority.  If awarded, the allowance is reviewed annually.  Any changes in your financial circumstances must be reported immediately to avoid overpayments. To request a CAO allowance form or for financial support enquiries, contact: sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk.  

• Assessment and family support – The local authority may complete an assessment under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 as part of the CAO application.  This could lead to access to family support services.  

• Therapeutic support – If the child was previously Looked After by the local authority, they may be eligible for therapeutic services or specialist assessments funded through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. To access this, contact: sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk.  

• Education support – The Virtual School offers advice and signposting to kinship carers regarding education. See the leaflet in the resources section below. 

• Peer support and training – The Kinship charity provides advice, signposting, peer support, and training to all kinship carers. 

• Family Rights Group is a child welfare charity which provides support and advice. They have helpful fact sheets regarding Child Arrangement Orders.  

• Kinship Parenting Programme workshops.

  These 2 day workshops are designed to support with Therapeutic Parenting, topics covered include:

  • Developmental trauma
  • Attachment models
  • Identifying and managing triggers
  • The PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)

  Places can be booked by contacting us
  
  

• Life Story drop ins

  These sessions are for Kinship carers who need support to talk with their child about their Kinship care journey.

  Sessions take place one to one online for 45 minutes and will support with tailored narratives and how to support your child with the information provided.

  Places can be booked by contacting us

Contact us

To discuss anything related to Child Arrangement Orders, contact:  

01438 844247 or sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk 

A Special Guardianship Order (“SGO”) is an order made by the Family Court that places a child in long-term care with a family member or friend. That person will become their Special Guardian.  

Special Guardianship - childlawadvice.org.uk 

Assessment: 

There are special rules about who can automatically be assessed as a Special Guardian, but within court proceedings the Family Court will usually order an assessment of any family/friends who wish to become Special Guardians. 

The Court needs certain information about the prospective Special Guardians before it can make an SGO, so there needs to be a detailed assessment.  

Again, this can be an intensive assessment – the Social Worker has to get lots of information about you, and this information will have to be shared with the parties (including the parents) and Judge in Family Court. The information required includes medical history, Police checks and references from people who know you well. You will need to provide detailed financial information if you would like financial support. 

If you disagree with the outcome of your assessment, you may discuss this with the Social Worker, and you may still ask the Court to consider you caring for the child.  

Effect: 

It is hoped by the Court when it makes a SGO that the child will remain in the care of their Special Guardian until they reach adulthood.  

The Special Guardian will share parental responsibility with the parents, and they will be able to make most decisions about the child’s care even without the parents’ agreement.  

The child will not be ‘looked after’ by the Local Authority, so there will not necessarily be any involvement by Children’s Services with the child.  

Special Guardians may be entitled to financial and practical support from the Local Authority. Financial support will be means tested, and reviewed every year.  

• Read more about Special Guardianship Orders policies and procedures

• Information about special guardianship orders, including how to obtain one

Support is provided through a Special Guardianship Support Plan, tailored to your and the child’s needs. You can request a review of this plan at any time. Support may include:  

• Financial – Special Guardians may be eligible for a means-tested Special Guardianship allowance to help with the costs of caring for a child. To apply, you must complete a financial assessment form; the initial one will be in the application pack provided by the Kinship Team. Applications can be made by post or email and must provide evidence of income and outgoings. This allowance is reviewed annually, and you will be contacted each year to update your financial information.  A review form will be sent to you directly by the allowance team. If your circumstances change – such as a new job, redundancy or changes to benefits – it’s important to inform the local authority. For financial support enquiries, contact sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk.   

• Information – You’ll have access to an online noticeboard with news, events and updates as well as advice and signposting to training or other support services.    

• Peer support – In person and online support groups, family fun days and a buddy system are available to help you connect with others in similar situations.   

• Therapeutic support  -If the child was previously Looked After by the Local Authority, you may be eligible for therapeutic input or specialist assessment via the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.  

• Training – Training in the form of free, online webinars are available on topics such as managing contact, financial entitlement, attachment and development trauma

• Family Rights Group is a child welfare charity which provides support and advice. They have helpful fact sheets regarding Special Guardianship Orders.  

• Kinship Parenting Programme workshops.

  These 2 day workshops are designed to support with Therapeutic Parenting, topics covered include:

  • Developmental trauma
  • Attachment models
  • Identifying and managing triggers
  • The PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)

  Places can be booked by contacting us
  
  

• Life Story drop ins

  These sessions are for Kinship carers who need support to talk with their child about their Kinship care journey.

  Sessions take place one to one online for 45 minutes and will support with tailored narratives and how to support your child with the information provided.

  Places can be booked by contacting us
  

• Childcare support

  Children who have left Local Authority care under a Special Guardianship Order can access funding for 15 hours of free childcare from the age of 2. More information available here:

  Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life

  If you are in employment, at present, there is no statutory entitlement to paid leave for kinship carers. It is recommended that you speak with your employer about their leave policy. 

See support for all kinship carers

Contact us  

To discuss anything related to Special Guardianship Orders, contact the Kinship Teams:

01438 844247 or sgosupportduty@hertfordshire.gov.uk