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INCLUDED IN SPECIAL NEEDS FOSTER
CARE SUBSIDY
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WHAT CONTINGENCIES CAN BE PAID BY
FAMILY SERVICES
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Special Coaching/Tutoring/Remedial
Work
If recommended by a competent authority
and in care plan. Need for coaching/tutoring to be assessed at each
Review of Arrangements meeting..
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Additional cleaning/maintenance of
the home environment required as a result of the behaviour of the
child
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Additional household expenses, housework,
domestic services and use of domestic appliances created by the
nature of the special needs and/or actions of the child.
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Child Care costs for non-work related
reasons.
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If required for employment related
reasons and in approved care plan. Carers are to be registered with
Medicare and Centrelink and are to claim all appropriate Commonwealth
Child care subsides. Family Services will only pay the difference
between refunds obtained and cost of child care.
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Contact Travel
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Food and shelter (including infant
formula)
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General clothing and footwear (including
nappies, pilchers etc)
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General expenses relating to personal
hygiene items and basic general medical, dental treatment and pharmaceutical
expenses. Special diets, supplements or pharmaceutical items which
require regular expense up to $25 per week
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Dental: Government Children’s
dental service should be used.
(refer to Manual)
Optical: Optometrist who bulk bills
to be used. Prescription glasses will be paid.
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General travel and associated costs
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Haircuts
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Heating, electricity and gas
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Holiday programs/camps(non-school
related)
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Up to $200 in any one financial year
and to be on case plan.
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Leisure and hobby activities
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Need for occasional hiring of an
adult to give relief
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Non-school social and sporting activities
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Outings and entertainment
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Pocket Money
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Pre-school fees are waived in accordance
with Act Education policy
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School books and stationery
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School camps and excursions
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Where a school camp or excursion
costs more than $50, Family Services will meet the rest of the cost
for that camp or excursion (up to a maximum amount of $200 in any
one year)
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School Clothing and footwear
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Where the wearing of school uniform
is compulsory and the child has been or is likely to be in care
for more than 3 months it can be a contingency item.
School clothing is only paid when:
- Child commences primary school
- Young person commences high school
- As necessary upon the child changing
schools
The following items can be replaced
once a year when required:
- School jumper
- School tunic, trousers or regulation
shorts
- Regulation school shoes
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School fees – voluntary school
contributions to government schools are waived for children/young
people in foster care in accordance with Act Education Policy.
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Cost for elective subjects, if they
cannot be waived and are included in care plan.
Family Services will not normally
subsidise the cost of attending private schools. In special circumstances
(see manual) and if on approved care plan, private school
fees will be met.
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School Travel
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Family Services to arrange bus passes
for children/young people if a primary school child lives further
than one km from the school, or if a high school child lives further
than two km from the school. It is expected that children in High
School will travel to school by bus.
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Special equipment needs (including
purchase costs and disposal costs of disposable nappies or laundry
costs of cloth nappies other than for an infant/toddler)
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Toys/presents
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Travel costs associated with contact,
attendance at medical or therapeutic appointments and school.
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If a carer travels in excess of 200km
per week to transport the child to specialist medical/therapist
appointments, contact and school then the carer can be re-embursed
a mileage allowance. (Refer to manual)
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