What it is
Eligible kinship carers may be able to get money to help with the costs of looking after a child. This is called a Kinship Care Allowance.
A Kinship Care Allowance is paid by the council where the child originally lived, which may be different from your own local council.
Who can get a Kinship Care Allowance
The financial support that we can provide depends on how you become a kinship carer and the child’s legal or care status.
Kinship carers eligible for an allowance are:
- all formal kinship carers – where the child has a legal status as “looked after” by the council
- some informal kinship carers – where the child does not have a legal status as “looked after” but is subject to a Section 11 Order (previously known as a residence order, now a kinship care order) and is or was:
- previously “looked after” by the council
- at risk of becoming “looked after” by the council.
A social worker will complete an assessment of the kinship carer to confirm if we’ll provide any financial support.
If you’re an eligible and approved carer, the social worker will arrange a kinship allowance to be paid.
Who cannot get financial support
We cannot provide financial support to carers who entered a private care arrangement with a close family member or friend without the council being involved.
Weekly Kinship Care Allowance
If you're eligible, the amount of money you get each week as Kinship Care Allowance depends on the age of the child that you're caring for:
| Age | Weekly allowance |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years olds | £161.31 per week |
| 5 to 15 years olds | £190.48 per week |
| 16 to 17 year olds | £267.50 per week |
This is the Scottish Recommended Allowance per child per week, minus £17.25 child benefit. Kinship carers can claim this child benefit as well as the weekly allowance.
If you do not receive child benefit for a child you’re caring for, speak to your allocated social worker who will help you in making a claim.
From 18 to 21 years old
If you care for a young person who continues to live with you from the age of 18 up to their 21st birthday, you’ll be entitled to a continuing care allowance.
We’ll pay you an allowance of £206 per week.
Contact us
You can contact our social work services by: