WEEKLY PAYMENTS & ALLOWANCES:
As a foster carer, you’ll receive a weekly payment for your skills, plus a weekly allowance for each child you look after. This combined amount varies according to your experience and the age of the children, from £247-£617 per week, per child.
All foster carers receive:
- An allowance to cover the daily cost of looking after a child or young person. This is intended to cover the
costs of things such as food, clothing, and everyday living expenses.
- A payment that recognises your skills, knowledge and hard work as a foster carer
Carer payments when a child is placed with them
How much you get paid depends on your experience and how many children you look after.
You could be paid an average of £389 a week tax-free for one child – equivalent to £20,228 a year.
You will be paid more for fostering more than one child. For example, if you foster two children you could be paid an average of £778 a week tax-free – equivalent to £40,456 a year.
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Specialist schemes
Specialist foster carers provide intensive one to one support within a family environment for some of our most vulnerable young people aged 11 plus. The Children and young people that require specialist fostering will have complex needs and have experienced traumatic events.
To reflect the demanding nature of specialist fostering we offer a generous financial package. You will receive £450 per week and an allowance of between £227 – £267 depending on the age of the child or young person you are fostering. In addition, we will also pay a four-week retainer of £450 in-between placements..
ADDITIONAL PAYMENT RATES/ROLES:
Foster carers can apply for additional paid roles in the service:
- Foster Carer Advocate
- Fostering Ambassador (supporting applicants)
- Peer / Mentor support carer
- Trainer
Foster carers can claim additional payments:
- Equipment and funding for any special support the child needs
- Transport costs for example, mileage
- Money for school uniforms,
- Birthdays, Christmas or religious festivals and holidays
We encourage foster carers to contribute to the service and develop themselves by taking on voluntary roles:
- Service development task groups
- Buddy – supporting new or existing carers