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Adoption Allowance Scheme

Page setting out the answers to some common questions asked by adopters.

Adoption Allowance Scheme

1.  When may an allowance be paid?

1.1.   The decision as to whether an adoption allowance is to be awarded must be undertaken prior to any adoption order being made.

An allowance would only be paid once the child has been placed for adoption or the adoption order has been made as determined by the Service Manager, Corporate Parenting (see 4 below).

Such an award can be varied post adoption to take account of a change in circumstances.

1.2.   The circumstances under which an allowance may be paid are:

        1. Where it is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parent can look after the adoptive child;
        2. The child needs special care which requires expenditure of resources by reason of illness, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulties or the continuing consequences of past abuse or neglect;
        3. Where it is necessary for the adoption agency to make any special arrangements to facilitate the placement or the adoption by reason of:
          1. The age or ethnic origin of the child; or
          2. The desirability of the child being placed with the same adoptive parent as the child's brother or sister (whether full or half blood) or with a child with whom the child previously shared a home.
        4. Where such an allowance is to meet recurring costs in respect of travel for the purpose of visits between the child and a relative.

1.3.   One or more of the criteria detailed in 1.2 must be satisfied before an allowance can be considered.  Where the criteria are met, a financial assessment of the prospective adopter(s) must be carried out, to determine eligibility for an allowance.  A maintenance allowance will usually only be paid when financial circumstances require this. A standard rate of maintenance allowance applies, but additions may be considered where a child's special needs require this (see 3.6 below).

1.4.   One-off payments can exceptionally be considered on a case by case basis where a child's special needs require significant additional expenditure (see 3.6 below).

2. How is the decision to pay an allowance made?

2.1.   The question of payment of an allowance must be addressed in reports to the Adoption Panel. It can be considered at the stage where a child is referred to the Adoption Panel as in need of adoption, and/or at the stage where a proposal to match a child with particular adopters is referred to the Adoption Panel, or subsequently at any time prior to the adoption.

The Adoption Panel should make a recommendation based on the criteria detailed in 1.2 as to whether the child is eligible to be considered for an allowance.

2.2.   Services for Children & Young People will undertake a financial assessment of the adopters and will invite representations from the prospective adopters as to the need for an allowance to be paid.

2.3.   The Service Manager, Corporate Parenting, will consider the financial assessment detailed at Section 3, and any representations made by the prospective adopters, and will make the decision as to whether an allowance should be paid.

2.4.   Prospective adopters can appeal the decision using the Appeals process.

3. How is the financial assessment carried out?

3.1.   In calculating the level of an allowance both the child's needs and resources, and the adopters' financial circumstances, are taken into account.

3.2.   In assessing the amount of allowance the aim is to assist in successful placement and to enhance the child's well-being in the adoptive home.

3.3.   The amount of adoption allowance payable must not include any element of reward or profit for the care of the child.

3.4.   The following will be considered in relation to the adopters' financial circumstances.

3.5.   Adoption Allowance will be paid at two thirds of the age related, Fostering Network recommended minimum fostering (London) rates. In exceptional circumstances, additions to this allowance and one-off payments may be considered based on the child's needs.  The following will be considered in relation to the child's needs.

4. Information for adopters about adoption allowances

4.1.   The Service Manager, Corporate Parenting, will notify adopters in writing of the decision as to whether any adoption allowance is payable and, if so the proposed amount.

4.2.   In situations where payment of an allowance is subject to developments in a child's condition, which may occur after placement, the Service Manager, Corporate Parenting, will advise adopters of the conditions under which any adoption allowance will be paid including its assessment, review, variation and termination.

4.3.   Once the Service Manager, Corporate Parenting, has agreed to payment of an adoption allowance the following information will be provided to the adopters in writing:

5. Requirements of adopters before any adoption allowance is paid

5.1.   Services for Children & Young People will require adopters to agree, before any adoption allowance can be awarded and paid, to inform Services for Children & Young People immediately in the event of any of the following occurring:-

The child ceases to live with the adopters on a permanent basis;

5.2.   Adopters must also agree to complete and supply to Services for Children & Young People, each year, an annual statement (and verification of) of their net income and the child's financial circumstances, including financial needs.

5.3.   An adoption allowance can be awarded from the date a child is placed for adoption or at a later date as determined by the Service Manager, Corporate Parenting.

5.4.   Services for Children & Young People reserves the right to cease payment of allowances and to demand repayment of allowances where adopters have failed to disclose financial circumstances or changes to these.

6. Reviews of adoption allowances

6.1.   Services for Children & Young People are required to review the allowance to ascertain whether there is a need for the allowance to continue and if so whether it should be maintained at the same level, increased or reduced.

6.2.   Reviews will take place:

7. Termination of adoption allowance

7.1.   The circumstances under which Services for Children & Young People will terminate the payment of an adoption allowance are as follows:

8. The rate of adoption allowance

8.1.   The rate of adoption allowance will be two thirds of the age related, Fostering Network (London) recommended minimum rates less the amount of any family allowance. As from April 2011 this is:

These amounts will be reviewed yearly.

Please go to the following link:

http://www.fostering.net/resources/statistics/recommended-minimum-allowances