Fostering allowance
When a child is living in your care, you will receive a fostering allowance (per week per child) to help cover the costs of caring for the child such as food, heating and clothing. As you develop your career as a foster carer, you will receive additional foster carer’s payment (per week). Foster carer pay is made when a child is living in your care. Payments are made direct into your bank account. Read more
2021-22
Fostering allowance 2021-22
| Age | 0-4 | 5-10 | 11-15 | 16+ |
|---|
| Level 1 |
£194 |
£177 |
£179 |
£220 |
|---|
| Level 2 |
£194 + £65 |
£177 + £65 |
£179 + £65 |
£220 + £65 |
|---|
| Level 3 |
£194 + £125 |
£177 + £125 |
£179 + £125 |
£220 + £125 |
|---|
| Level 4 |
£194 + £230 |
£177 + £230 |
£179 + £230 |
£220 + £230 |
|---|
| Specialist |
£194 + enhanced payment
|
£177 + enhanced payment
|
£179 + enhanced payment
|
£220 + enhanced payment
|
|---|
| When I am ready |
|
|
|
£220
|
|---|
(These rates are subject to change, please check foster carers handbook for current rates when you are fostering)
Plus:
- Birthday allowance (£177 - £220)
- Religious festival allowance (£177 - £220)
- Annual holiday allowance (£354 - £440)
National Minimum Allowance for Foster Carers
Specialist Fostering
Specialist carers receive the foster care allowance (per week per child) plus an enhanced payment. We are no longer recruiting to historic schemes.
Short Breaks
Short break carers receive an allowance for 6 hour, 12 hour or 24 hour/overnight stays up to £48.81 for an overnight stay.
Tax & National Insurance
As a foster carer, you are required to register as self employed. Foster carers are eligible for substantial tax and national insurance exemptions.