Where 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.
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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
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· 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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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The Kinship Parenting Program (KKP) - 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).
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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
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