Fostering allowances and pay

To recognise the important and professional role of our foster carers, we offer a competitive support package. Our Foster Carers receive both a fee and allowance for every child they look after.  The fee is an income payment for our foster carers and the allowance pays for the child’s day to day care.

Foster fees

For

  • 0 to 11 years you will receive a weekly fee of £185.66
  • 12 and over years you will receive a weekly fee of £253.93
  • disability and specialist you will receive a weekly fee of £464.18

Fostering allowances

below you will find a breakdown of the total standard allowance paid each week for each child.  This covers clothing, pocket money and general living costs (maintenance)

0 to four year olds

£168.31 standard which includes, £23.56 for clothing, £5.05 for pocket money and £139.70 for maintenance.

Five to 10 year olds

£195.81 standard which includes, £33.29 for clothing, £9.79 for pocket money and £152.73 for maintenance.

11 to 13 year olds

£195.81 standard which includes, £37.20 for clothing, £13.71 for pocket money and £144.90 for maintenance.

14 to 15 year olds

£195.81 standard which includes, £37.20 for clothing, £15.66 for pocket money and £142.95 for maintenance.

16 to 17 year olds

£268.41 standard which includes, £51.00 for clothing, £21.47 for pocket money and £195.94 for maintenance.

Short Breaks carers will receive a ‘pro-rata’ calculation of weekly fee and maintenance depending on how often they care for a child.

Additional allowances

In addition to the above allowances, four extra weeks are paid:

  • Winter holiday allowances are paid on 27 November which is the equivalent to one weeks standard allowance
  • Summer holiday allowances are paid on 1 June which is the equivalent to two weeks’ standard allowances
  • Birthday allowances are paid on the day before the child’s birthday which is the equivalent to one week’s standard allowance
  • Full time foster carers for children age 0-18.

Continuing care

For

  • 18 to 21 years you will receive a weekly fee of £253.93
  • additional weekly payment of £268.41 to cover living costs for young person. 

Foster carers expenses

 For your mileage you will receive

  • 45p per mile

Our carers' fostering and fees and allowances are subject to a specific tax scheme for foster carers. As a result, the majority of our foster carers are exempt from paying tax on the income they receive from fostering.