Support with domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. Major sporting events can be a difficult time for some people. If you are worried about your own safety, or that of someone you know, confidential support and advice are available on our domestic abuse page.
Children in foster care aged 9 months to 4 years may be eligible for the working parent childcare entitlements.
To qualify:
- The foster carer must be in paid employment outside of their fostering role
- The foster carer's adjusted net income must not exceed £100,000 per year
- There is no minimum earnings requirement for foster carers
- The local authority responsible for the child must confirm that the foster carer's employment is compatible with the child's care plan
Before applying, foster carers should:
- Speak to the child's social worker
- Confirm that accessing funded childcare is considered to be in the child's best interests
- Ensure that the responsible local authority is able to provide the necessary approval
This approval is required before an application for funded childcare can be progressed.
Eligibility criteria for funded childcare for fostered children
To be eligible for 30 hours funded childcare, all of the following criteria must be met:
- Herefordshire Council must be the child's corporate parent. If another local authority is the corporate parent, you will need to contact that authority directly for information about their application process
- Attendance at a childcare setting for the additional funded hours must be identified in the child's care plan as being in the child's best interests
- All foster parents in the household must be working outside of their fostering role. For couples, one foster parent must be working and the other must be receiving a qualifying benefit
- Foster parents must be British or Irish citizens or have immigration status that allows access to public funds
- Foster parents must live in England
- Foster parents must be in paid employment in addition to their fostering responsibilities
Where there are non-foster parents living in the household, they must:
- Be working and earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
- Have an annual income of less than £100,000
Before applying, foster carers should discuss childcare arrangements with the child's social worker to ensure that accessing funded childcare supports the child's welfare and care plan.
How to apply
Applications for funded childcare for fostered children must be submitted in advance. Funding can begin from the term following the child's ninth month, provided that the application has been received and approved.
Foster carers should make their application with the support of the child's social worker.
To request an application form, please email eef@herefordshire.gov.uk
Important: Do not apply through the government's Best Start in Life childcare application service. Applications for fostered children must be made directly through Herefordshire Council.
| Applications submitted between | Funding can start from |
|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September |
After you apply
Once an application has been approved, a unique eligibility code will be issued to the foster parent(s). This code can then be used to access the funded childcare entitlement.
To continue receiving funded childcare, the code must be renewed every three months. If your circumstances change and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, the code will be withdrawn and the child will no longer be eligible for the funded childcare entitlement.
Foster parents are responsible for ensuring that any changes in circumstances are reported as part of the renewal process.
Other financial support
You may also wish to check what other benefits and financial support you could be entitled to through the government's benefits calculator and support services.