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.