Foster carers and benefits - What is a foster carer?

Read our guide to Foster carers and benefits

What is a foster carer?

The guide covers people who are approved foster carers for either a local authority or a registered charity. For some benefits, you can be treated as a foster carer while you are between placements.

If you are looking after a relative's child, you might be treated as a kinship carer or a family and friends carer.

The rules for these carers are complicated and you should get advice.

If you live in Scotland, contact Kinship Care Scotland

If you live in Northern Ireland, contact Kinship Care Northern Ireland

If you live in England and Wales, contact the Family Rights Group

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