1.1 The aim of this policy is to set out the important aspects of the Refer a Friend and Family Scheme.
1.2 This policy supersedes any existing policy and/or agreement in relation to referring an individual or household to become a foster carer/s.
1.3 This scheme applies to referrals made on or after the 1st January 2025.
2.1 Leeds City Council will pay a financial incentive to a person “a referrer” when they refer someone who then becomes an approved foster carer for Leeds City Council. No payment will be made to a referrer if the person/household they referred does not become an approved foster carer for Leeds City Council.
2.2 If the referred individual(s) is approved as a foster carer for Leeds City Council then the referrer will be eligible for a referral payment of £500. One payment per approved fostering household will be made per referral. A fostering household can be a single foster carer, a couple or more than 2 foster carers per household.
2.3 A referral can only be made by one referrer per person/household. Multiple referrals for the same person/household are not valid under this scheme.
2.4 Beneficiary is responsible for management of their own tax and benefit implications.
2.5 Beneficiary of the £500 must be 18 or over and hold a UK bank account.
2.6 There is no limit to the number of people/households a referrer can recommend.
2.7 A referrer can be a third sector or charitable organisation. The organisation will need to provide their Charity Commission number and payment will be made into a bank account under their registered name.
2.8 The Refer a Friend and Family scheme will be reviewed on a regular basis. We reserve the right to withdraw or amend the scheme at any time.
2.9 Leeds City Council will communicate any change clearly and in a timely manner. However, any person who referred successful applicants before an incentive was withdrawn will still receive the appropriate incentive.
2.10 The referrer will only receive payment when the new foster carer(s) is/are approved as foster carers for Leeds City Council
2.11 Payment will be made to those legally entitled to receive the payment under UK law, and Leeds City Council reserve the right to refuse payment where this cannot be established.
2.12 Leeds City Council will make payment via BACS transfer to a UK bank account.
2.13 Any payment made under The Refer a Friend and Family scheme is subject to the final approval of Leeds City Council.
2.14 To be eligible for the incentive, the referrer must not be living with the applicant.
2.15 A self-referral cannot be made under the scheme.
2.16 If a fostering household has previously been referred under the scheme, the benefit award under the scheme will not apply again.
2.17 Employees of Leeds City Council that are involved in the recruitment, assessment and approval of foster carers are not eligible to receive payment through the scheme. This includes Supervising Social Workers, Fostering Advisors, Fostering Team Managers, the Service Delivery Manager for Fostering and the Assistant Deputy Managers as well as any Fostering Panel member.
3.1 Anyone living in the Leeds City Council area, who you consider would have the skills, experience and capacity to take on the role of being a foster carer for Leeds City Council.
3.2 Anyone interested in fostering for Leeds City Council should express their interest in fostering via the usual channels. During the initial discussion with the Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team the prospective fostering applicant should confirm the name and details of the referrer.
4.1 For any further information/queries on the council’s Refer a Friend and Family Scheme for Fostering, please use the contact details below:
Telephone: 0113 3783538
Email: foster4leeds@leeds.gov.uk