Financial support

Our foster carer payments are made up of 2 parts:

an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child - such as for food, clothing, transport, pocket money and activities
a professional fee to reward foster carers for caring for a vulnerable child

These are paid on a fortnightly basis, while you have a child in placement.

Allowance calculator

Use our simple calculator to work out yearly allowances based on different criteria.

Use the fostering allowance calculator

Weekly allowances

The weekly total allowances for April 2020 to March 2021 are:

child aged 0 to 4: £256.71
child aged 5 to 10: £280.60
child aged 11 to 15: £388.50
child aged 16 to 18: £401.20

Additional skills payment

This is an extra payment of £50 per week for foster carers who hold an NVQ 3 or equivalent in Caring for Children and Young People. It is a set payment and does not increase if you foster more than one child.

Additional disability payment

This is an extra payment of £75 per week when the child being cared for has a significant physical or learning disability.

Respite and short break placements

For respite placements you will be paid the following allowances for periods of over 6 hours (a half day payment is applicable for under 6 hours). These are for April 2020 to March 2021.

Respite and short break placement payments
Type per week	Child aged 0 to 4	Child aged 5 to 9	Child aged 10 to 15	Child aged 16 and up
Allowance for child and fee for carer (without skills payment)	£36.67	£40.09	£55.50	£57.31
Allowance for child and fee for carer eligible for skills payment	£43.82	£47.23	£62.64	£64.46
Allowance for child and fee for carer without skills payment for a child with a disability	£47.39	£50.80	£66.21	£68.03
Allowance for child and fee for carer with skills payment for child with a disability	£54.53	£57.94	£73.36	£75.17

Other payments

Carers who attend 30 hours of professional development in a 12 month period will receive a payment of £100.

Carers who receive children into their homes in an emergency out of hours or with minimal notice may receive a £50 payment per child.

Specific payments for supported lodgings and parent and child placements are available on request.

Tax exemption and benefits

Foster carers are classed as self-employed and as such you will not be paid for any period that you do not have a child in placement. As part of the application and assessment process we will discuss your financial circumstances to make sure you can cope with any periods you are without a placement.

Foster carer earnings are usually tax-free. If you currently receive benefits, in most cases you will still be eligible to claim these. For more information, see help with the cost of fostering on GOV.UK.

Contact information

Fostering

Address

Email: fostering@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Phone: 01344 352411

Make an enquiry