30 hours' funded childcare for foster children
The foster parent/s
In single carer foster families, the foster parent/s engages in paid work outside their role as a foster parent/s or will be taking up paid employment within the next 31 days. There is no minimum earnings limit, but the carer cannot earn more than £100,000.
In two-carer foster families, both partners engage in paid work outside their role as a foster parent or will be taking up paid work within the next 31 days. There is no minimum earning limit, but neither carer can earn more than £100,000.
If one partner is not a foster parent, they must be in qualifying paid work and earn a minimum of the equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum or national living wage and no more than £100,000.
You may still be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if one foster parent holds additional employment outside of their role as a foster parent, and one carer does not hold additional employment but is receipt of one of the following benefits:
- for Universal Credit purposes, they are assessed as having limited capability for work
- receive National Insurance credits because of incapacity or limited capability for work
- receive a Carer's Allowance
- receive an Employment and Support Allowance
- receive Incapacity Benefit
- receive a Severe Disablement Allowance