General fostering allowances
Temporary connected carers approved under Regulation 24 will receive the age related weekly Maintenance payment for a child in their care.
We pay general fostering allowances to carers doing short-term, long-term and emergency fostering.
The financial support we provide is made up of 2 parts:
- A weekly fee – based on the age of the child.
- A weekly allowance – based on your skill level. We'll discuss this with you at the home visit stage. Following approval at Fostering Panel, this will range from level 2 to level 3, with level 3 being the highest.
Level 2 weekly fee and weekly allowances
You will receive the weekly fee for an approved foster carer, in addition to the weekly basic maintenance allowance as follows:
- Fee for approved foster carers: £168.36
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 0–4 years: £176
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 5–10 years: £194
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 11–15 years: £220
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 16+ years: £258
Level 3 weekly fee and weekly allowances
You will receive the weekly fee for an approved foster carer, in addition to the weekly basic maintenance allowance as follows:
- Fee for enhanced foster carers: £315.68
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 0–4 years: £176
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 5–10 years: £194
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 11–15 years: £220
- Basic maintenance allowance for a child 16+ years: £258
Additional allowances
You'll also receive the following additional allowances for each fostered child or young person in your care:
- Birthday allowance – equivalent to 1 week's basic maintenance allowance.
- Festival allowance – equivalent to 1 week's basic maintenance allowance.
- Holiday allowance – 1 per year, equivalent to 2 weeks' basic maintenance allowance.