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 only made when a child is living in your care. Payments are made direct into your bank account.
Read our Blog: Foster Carer Pay Explained
Allowances & payments April 2021/22
Fostering payment levels
| Age |
0-4
|
5-10
|
11-15
|
16+
|
|---|
| Level 1 |
£194
|
£177
|
£179
|
£220
|
|---|
| Level 2 |
+ £65 |
+ £65
|
+ £65 |
+ £65 |
|---|
| Level 3 |
+ £125 |
+ £125 |
+ £125 |
+ £125 |
|---|
| Level 4 |
+ £230 |
+ £230 |
+ £230 |
+ £230 |
|---|
| Specialist |
+ up to £461
|
+ up to £461
|
+ up to £461
|
+ up to £461
|
|---|
| Parent and Child |
£745 - £875 p/w |
|
|
|
|---|
| WHEN I AM READY |
|
|
|
£220
|
|---|
(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 Allowances for Foster Carers
Specialist Fostering:
Parents and Child together
Repatriation and Prevention
Flintshire Mockingbird Hub Home Carer
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.
Benefits calculator
Help with the cost of fostering
Request an information pack