As a foster carer, you will be making a life-changing difference to children and young people, which is incredibly rewarding. We understand that people become foster carers for a variety of reasons and although money might not be your main concern, potential foster carers must understand the fees and allowances available so that they can budget their family's outgoings.

Each allowance is determined by a few things like the number and ages of children you have placed with you, the experience and training of the foster carer, and other factors like the needs of the children.

The amount you receive from your weekly allowance is made up of multiple elements:

The maintenance allowance for the child

This covers the cost of everything you need to care for a child such as food, clothes, transport, personal items and household expenses.

The foster carer fee

This is referred to as skills payment but is basically the fee we pay to foster carers for the amazing job they do every day. This fee can vary based on the qualifications and skills a foster carer can acquire over time.

Additional payments

We provide additional payments to foster carers to receive once a year at different times for covering special occasions like Birthdays, Christmas or other religious celebrations.

Age	Holiday (Summer)	Birthday	Christmas religious festivals	Booking fee holiday
0 to 4	£243.08	£121.90	£121.90	£446.17
5 to 10	£262.24	£130.76	£130.76	£446.17
11 to 15	£306.90	£153.62	£153.62	£446.17
16 to 18	£406.24	£203.13	£203.13	£446.17

Standard fostering payment

Age	Maintenance payment	Reward payment	Total weekly payment
0 to 4	£175.67	£183.22	£358.89
5 to 10	£196.67	£183.22	£379.89
11 to 15	£225.67	£183.22	£408.89
16 to 18	£263.67	£183.22	£446.89

Connected person foster carers receive age-related maintenance only.

There is up to 60% enhanced payments available to carers who look after children with significant needs and additional reward payment opportunities for skilled foster carers.

Payment examples

Example 1

Mary is a foster carer to one foster child aged 4. Mary receives:

• Basic allowance – £167.97
• Foster carer fee - £176.10
• Total £341.08 per week / £1,364 per month

Example 2

Adam is a foster carer to two foster children aged 8 and 9. Because of Adam’s experience and the children’s needs, there are 20% enhancements. Adam receives:

• Basic allowance - £418.38
• Foster carer fee - £422.66
• Total £818.52 per week / £3,274.08 per month.

Example 3

Jane and Sean are foster carers to one foster child aged 14. Because of the foster carers' experience and the needs of the child, there is a 60% enhancement. Jane and Sean receive:

• Basic allowance - £316.32
• Foster carer fee - £281.77
• Total £598.09 / £2,392 per month

Example 4

Pat and Jackie are foster carers to two children aged 9 and 11. Because of the foster carers' experience and the needs of the children, there is a 40% enhancement. Pat and Jackie receive:

• Basic allowance – £520.46
• Foster carer fee - £493.70
• Total £1,013.56 / £4,054.24 per month