How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid?
Fostering is a rewarding journey, and understanding the financial support available is an important part of the decision-making process. In the UK, a foster care allowance is designed to cover the cost of caring for a child, which can vary based on factors like the child’s age, needs, and the type of fostering. This guide provides an overview of what you can expect, helping you make an informed choice about fostering.
How Does Foster Care Pay in the UK Work?
Anyone considering becoming a foster parent in Britain will understandably have lots of questions, one of the most common being, ‘how much do foster parents get paid in the UK?’ While the question may seem simple, foster carer pay depends on a range of factors, which means there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
The foster care allowance you receive will usually reflect a child’s age, any additional needs they may have, and the type of fostering you choose to provide. For example, caring for children with complex needs or undertaking specialist placements like Parent and Child fostering or long term fostering often comes with a higher level of support.
We have dedicated pages that explain each type of fostering in more detail. In this guide, we’ll focus on how foster parent pay works and what financial support is available, giving you a clearer understanding of what to expect.
Foster Care Allowance Explained
The term foster care allowance refers to the financial support given to foster parents to help cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, as well as to recognise the vital role you play as a carer. The exact rate of foster care pay in the UK can vary depending on several key factors:
- Location: Where you live can influence the allowance you receive, as different areas have different costs of living and varying needs from local authorities.
- Child’s Needs: Some children require more intensive support, which may involve extra training, appointments, or specialist skills. In these cases, the allowance is adjusted to reflect the additional responsibilities.
- Type of Fostering: Different types of placements, such as short-term, long-term, or parent and child fostering, come with different levels of financial support.
At Family Fostering Partners, we offer a generous foster care allowance and benefits package that truly values the time, commitment, and care our foster parents provide. Our weekly foster care pay typically ranges from £460 to £950 per child, depending on the specific placement and its requirements. While it’s not always possible to give a fixed figure due to the variety of influencing factors, we’re committed to ensuring that all our foster parents feel supported, both emotionally and financially.
What Does Foster Care Pay Cover in the UK?
Foster care pay in the UK is intended to cover the essential costs of raising a child in your care. This includes food, clothing, travel, school-related expenses, and activities that support a child’s wellbeing. The foster care allowance also reflects the time and energy you dedicate to providing a safe and nurturing home. While individual arrangements vary, the aim is to ensure that foster parents can meet a child’s needs without facing financial strain.
When Will You Receive Your Foster Care Allowance?
Foster carers with Family Fostering Partners begin receiving their foster care allowance from the day a child is placed in their care. Payments continue regularly for the duration of the placement, ensuring consistent financial support throughout the fostering journey.
Uniquely, at Family Fostering Partners, we offer the ‘Be There to Care’ scheme, providing temporary payments to new foster carers who have left employment to prepare for fostering. This initiative supports carers even before their first placement, easing the transition into their new role.
Annual Foster Care Pay in the UK: How Much You Could Receive
Foster care pay in the UK covers more than just the basic allowance, it may also include additional financial benefits or incentives depending on the type of fostering and the needs of the child. Based on the foster carer pay range outlined above, foster parents can typically expect to receive an annual allowance of between £23,920 and £49,400 per child.
This allowance is generally tax-free, as part of a UK Government initiative to recognise the important role foster carers play and to encourage more people to consider fostering. It’s designed to cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, transport, and personal expenses, ensuring that foster parents are financially supported while focusing on providing the best possible care.
Tax Benefits That Affect How Much Foster Carers Are Paid in the UK
When it comes to foster care pay in the UK, there are significant tax benefits in place to support carers. The UK government offers generous incentives to encourage more people to step into this vital role. In addition to the foster care allowance, foster parents can benefit from weekly tax relief for each child in their care, £415 for a child under 11, and £495 for a child over 11, on top of an increased annual tax exemption. These measures help boost take-home income, making fostering a more financially sustainable option for many families.
Below we’ve included an example of how these tax arrangements might apply to a standard foster carer. More detailed guidance is available directly from the UK Government website.
As an example:
Charlotte cares for a 14-year-old for a whole year. She also helps care for a 12-year-old for 20 weeks of the year. Charlotte would not have to pay tax on the first £53,730 she earns from fostering:
Tax exemption = £19,690 + Child 1 (52 x £495) + Child 2 (20 x £415)
Tax Exemption = £19,690 + £25,740 + £8,300
Total = £53,730
This example is intended to illustrate how tax relief for foster carers works and shouldn’t be taken as financial advice. Still, it does help highlight why answering the question “how much do foster parents get paid in the UK?” isn’t always straightforward, because factors like tax exemptions and foster care pay structures can significantly influence the final figure.
Can You Receive Any Additional Financial Benefits?
In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers in the UK may be eligible for certain benefits, depending on their individual circumstances. While fostering is considered self-employment, and the foster care pay is generally tax-free under the Qualifying Care Relief scheme, it’s important to understand how this income interacts with other benefits.
For instance, Universal Credit can be claimed by foster carers, and the fostering allowance is not counted as income when calculating entitlement. This means that, subject to meeting other eligibility criteria, foster carers can receive Universal Credit without their fostering income affecting the amount.
Additionally, if you care for a child with a disability, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance, provided you meet the necessary conditions, such as providing at least 35 hours of care per week and earning below the specified income threshold .
It’s also worth noting that foster carers are eligible for National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension. You can apply for these credits for each week you are approved as a foster carer.
When considering how much do foster parents get paid in the UK, it’s essential to factor in these additional benefits, as they can contribute significantly to the overall financial support available to foster carers.
Our Foster Care Benefits
“Be There To Care” Scheme
At Family Fostering Partners, we understand that choosing to foster is a big step, especially if it means stepping away from a regular income. That’s why we created our “Be There To Care” scheme. This unique financial transition programme provides weekly payments for up to 10 weeks to help new foster carers manage their living costs as they prepare for their first placement. It’s just one of the ways we support families during this important transition.
Non-Financial Benefits of Fostering with Family Fostering Partners
Fostering with us isn’t just about receiving a foster care allowance, it’s about joining a team that values and supports you every step of the way. Our foster carers benefit from:
- Support and Training: Ongoing, tailored training and round-the-clock support to help you feel confident in your role.
- Membership Perks: Free access to FosterTalk, which includes legal support, financial advice, and a wide range of professional resources.
Want to know more about what makes us different? Take a look at why else to choose Family Fostering Partners.
Become a Foster Carer with Family Fostering Partners
Foster parent pay involves far more than just the basic allowance, and as we’ve explored, there are many factors that influence foster care pay in the UK. That’s why it can be tricky to give a one-size-fits-all answer to the question, how much do foster parents get paid in the UK? We hope this guide has helped you better understand what’s involved.
If you’d like to explore fostering further or have specific questions, or learn how to become a foster parent in great detail, our team is always happy to help. You can get in touch by filling out the contact form.
Foster Care Allowance FAQs
What allowance do you get for fostering?
Foster carers receive a foster care allowance to help cover the costs of looking after a child. This varies depending on the child’s age, needs, and the type of fostering, but typically ranges from £460 to £950 per week, per child.
Can you make a living as a foster carer?
Yes, many people do make a living as foster carers. With a weekly allowance of £460 to £950 per child, plus tax exemptions and possible additional benefits, foster care pay in the UK can provide a stable income, especially for those caring for more than one child or offering specialist placements.
Do you pay tax on fostering?
Foster carers in the UK typically do not pay tax on their fostering income due to the Qualifying Care Relief scheme. This provides an annual tax exemption of £19,690 per household, plus additional weekly tax relief for each child in care, £415 for children under 11 and £495 for those aged 11 or over. As a result, many foster carers find their foster care pay falls within these thresholds, making their income from fostering tax-free.
What benefits can I claim if I'm a foster carer?
Foster carers may still be eligible for benefits like Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, and National Insurance credits. The foster care allowance isn’t counted as income for most benefit assessments, meaning it usually won’t affect your entitlement. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s worth seeking personalised advice.
Do foster carers get clothing allowance?
Yes, foster carers receive a foster care pay that includes funds for clothing. This allowance is designed to cover the cost of caring for a fostered child, including clothing, food, travel, and other essentials. The exact amount can vary depending on the child’s age and specific needs.
Do foster carers get money for Christmas?
Many fostering agencies and local authorities provide a Christmas or festival allowance, but this isn’t guaranteed and can vary depending on your location and the child’s needs. Often, it’s intended to help cover the cost of gifts or seasonal activities and may be equivalent to a week’s allowance. It’s best to check with your supervising social worker to see what support is available.
What expenses can I claim as a foster carer?
Foster carers can usually claim everyday expenses related to achild’s care, such as food, clothing, travel, school supplies, and activities. These costs are typically covered by the foster care allowance, which is designed to ensure you’re not out of pocket. In some cases, additional or exceptional expenses may be reimbursed, but this depends on your local authority or fostering agency’s policy.