Support for foster carers and their families

We understand that caring for children can be a demanding role. We offer a wide range of financial support, aimed to help you provide a high standard of care for the children.

As well as our extensive training and support, you will receive a generous allowance when caring for a child or young person. The amount you will receive will depend on the age of the child you are looking after and any additional needs they may have.

Core: this is the rate paid to all new carers.

Core Plus: this is paid to carers once they have completed mandatory training. It includes a £75 skill payment made to the carer per child.

High need rate: this also includes the £75 skill payment as well as an additional £50 to cover the cost of caring for a child with a higher level of need.

You will understand the needs of the child better than us. 

We therefore don't tell you how to spend the money, but it is expected to cover:

• food
• clothes
• heating and lighting
• pocket money (a specified amount depending on the child's age)
• dinner money
• leisure and social activities
• holiday costs

Additional allowances are paid to contribute to a child's birthday and religious festivals.

As a foster carer, you will receive tax allowance on the income you receive from fostering.

This means you will not pay tax on earnings up to a maximum of £10,000 per year. As a consequence you can, in some cases, legitimately reduce or avoid tax payments.  

Find out more about tax exemption and tax relief for foster carers.

The allowances you receive are unlikely to affect any state benefits that you currently have.

However we do advise you to inform the organisation that you receive your benefits form of this change of circumstances.

You can get disability benefits for your foster child if they meet the criteria. You may also be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if your foster child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

You can contact our fostering team to:

• ask any questions about eligibility, the process or the support that we offer
• ask a question about your specific circumstances
• ask for a face to face chat with our recruitment team
• enquire about what support is available as an existing foster carer