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 2022 to March 2023 are:
- child aged 0 to 4: £265.43
- child aged 5 to 10: £290.54
- child aged 11 to 15: £400.87
- child aged 16 to 18: £416.24
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).
| 0 | Type per week | Child aged 0 to 4 | Child aged 5 to 9 | Child aged 10 to 15 | Child aged 16 and up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allowance for child and fee for carer (without skills payment) | £37.92 | £41.51 | £57.27 | £59.46 |
| 2 | Allowance for child and fee for carer eligible for skills payment | £45.06 | £48.65 | £64.41 | £66.61 |
| 3 | Allowance for child and fee for carer without skills payment for a child with a disability | £48.63 | £52.22 | £67.98 | £70.18 |
| 4 | Allowance for child and fee for carer with skills payment for child with a disability | £55.78 | £59.36 | £75.12 | £77.32 |
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.