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Foster Carer Pay and Allowances

Foster Carer Pay

We recognise that looking after a child or young person has financial implications, so it is important to understand Foster Carer pay. On top of this, some of our carers decide to give up their jobs to foster. To support our carers, we provide a weekly foster care allowance made up of a professional fee and a living allowance for the child.

How Much do Foster Carers Get Paid?

As an independent agency and a Social Enterprise, we offer a highly competitive foster care allowance. For almost all Foster Carers, this will be tax-free and will not affect any benefits you may currently be receiving.

two young girls

Foster Carer Pay and Allowances:

  • Standard placement of one child or young person – £459.48 per week, per child
  • Specialist foster placements – payment based on the child or young person’s needs
  • Parent and child – £906.36 per week (one parent, one child)
  • Sibling – £906.36 per week (two children), £1,264.62 per week (three children)
  • Respite – nightly rate based on the fee received by the main carer
  • Solution28 fostering (28-day placements) – from £646 per week (one child). Please note: this type of fostering is only available to those living in Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, The Forest of Dean and surrounding areas.

Examples of Foster Carer Pay

Foster child

Elsa fosters one child, aged 7. Elsa receives £459.48 per week, equivalent to £23,958 a year.

Foster children

Tom fosters two sisters, aged 7 and 9. Tom receives £906.36 per week, equivalent to £47,260 a year.

Key Points About Foster Care Allowance

  • You will receive a generous foster care allowance for each foster child.
  • You probably won’t have to pay taxes on your fostering allowance. This is because income from fostering is supported by government tax relief programs.
  • Your foster care allowance does not affect most state benefits.
  • You’ll need to register as self-employed and pay National Insurance Contributions.
  • You might also qualify for Working Tax Credit and other state benefits.
Foster carers

Ask us about Foster Carer Pay

When speaking to prospective Carers, we need to make sure that they’re interested in fostering for the right reasons – not only because of the pay. We need to know that they’re compassionate, warm, patient and kind, and money aside, want to change a child’s life for the better.

However, it is important that Carers have financial peace of mind. We need to make sure that potential carers have the financial information they need to make an informed decision. For that reason, we want to reassure you that we are happy to answer any questions you might have on Foster Carer pay.

At Five Rivers Child Care, we want our Foster Carers to feel secure in the level of support they receive – both in terms of practical training and financial reimbursement. Our support package provides carers with the peace of mind they need to do their job well – because that’s what really matters.

Book a call

Give us a Call to Find Out More

Take the first step to transforming a child or young person’s life today and register your interest with our carer enquiries team to join the Five Rivers family.

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