INCLUDED IN FOSTER CARE SUBSIDY

WHAT CONTINGENCIES CAN BE PAID BY FAMILY SERVICES

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.

Child Care costs for non-work related reasons

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 childcare.

Establishment costs

When initially establishing a child in a foster care placement – initial clothing, initial school clothing, initial school materials, essential furniture where not able to be provided by the carer can be approved.

Food and shelter (including infant formula)

General clothing and footwear (including nappies, pilchers etc)

General expenses relating to personal hygiene items and basic general medical, dental treatment and pharmaceutical expenses.

Medical: Family Services to pay for medical consultations. For surgical/medical appliances/aids and ongoing recurrent expenditure. (Refer to Manual)

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.

General travel and associated coasts

Contact travel: Mileage allowance to and from contact. (Refer to Manual)

Haircuts

Heating, electricity and gas

Holiday programs/camps (non-school related)

Up to $200 in any one financial year and to be on care plan

Leisure and hobby activities

Non-school social and sporting activities

Outings and entertainment

Pocket money

Pre-school fees are waived in accordance with ACT Education policy

School books and stationery

School camps and excursions

When 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).

This should be on the care-plan.

School clothing and footwear

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

School fees – voluntary school contributions to government schools are waived for children/young people in foster care in accordance with ACT Education Policy.

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 careplan, private school fees will be met.

School Travel

Family Services to arrange bus passes for children/young people if a primary school child lives further than two km from the school. It is expected that children in High School will travel to school by bus.

In excess of 50km per week, the carer can be re-imbursed for mileage allowance. (Refer to Manual)

Toys/presents