Foster carer payments and allowances

General fostering allowances

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. It ranges from level 1 to level 3, with level 3 being the highest.

Level 1 weekly fee and weekly allowances

  • Fee for temporarily approved connected carers: £0
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 0-4 years: £159
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 5-10 years: £175
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 11-15 years: £199
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 16+ years: £233

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: £160
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 0-4 years: £159
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 5-10 years: £175 
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 11-15 years: £199
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 16+ years: £233

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: £300
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 0-4 years: £159
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 5-10 years: £175
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 11-15 years: £199
  • Basic maintenance allowance for a child 16+ years: £233

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.