Fostering Allowances
Fostering Allowances
Fostering Allowances
Financial questions come up early - and often. You are doing important work, and you deserve to understand clearly how allowances support you and the children you care for. Your weekly fee is just part of the financial package. You get additional financial support at Christmas, birthdays and summer holidays. You get support with transport costs and school uniform as well as an activity fund enabling the children you care for try new clubs.
Financial questions come up early - and often. You are doing important work, and you deserve to understand clearly how allowances support you and the children you care for. Your weekly fee is just part of the financial package. You get additional financial support at Christmas, birthdays and summer holidays. You get support with transport costs and school uniform as well as an activity fund enabling the children you care for try new clubs.
Allowances
Allowances
How much pay will I receive?
How much pay will I receive?
How much pay will I receive?
There are a number of different factors which contribute to how much foster carers are paid per week. As a minimum, our fostering families receive **£469 per week** for one child on a standard fostering arrangement. This equates to **£24,388 per year** as your basic allowance, although carers can earn more. Many carers support more than one child, and some support children with additional needs, meaning they will receive more per week. Examples include: • **Parent and child** (high demand): minimum **£938 per week** • **Fostering siblings**: often around **£1,300 per week** • A young person with **complex needs** (or unable to live alongside other children): **£644 per week** If you would like to understand what you could receive for your household and the type of fostering you are interested in, get in touch and we will talk it through clearly.
There are a number of different factors which contribute to how much foster carers are paid per week. As a minimum, our fostering families receive **£469 per week** for one child on a standard fostering arrangement. This equates to **£24,388 per year** as your basic allowance, although carers can earn more. Many carers support more than one child, and some support children with additional needs, meaning they will receive more per week. Examples include: • **Parent and child** (high demand): minimum **£938 per week** • **Fostering siblings**: often around **£1,300 per week** • A young person with **complex needs** (or unable to live alongside other children): **£644 per week** If you would like to understand what you could receive for your household and the type of fostering you are interested in, get in touch and we will talk it through clearly.
Tax & money
Tax & money
Tax relief for carers
Tax relief for carers
Tax relief for carers
All carers are self-employed, so you are responsible for paying your own taxes. However, you will be eligible for tax relief. From **April 2023**, Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) rates increased and now automatically increase each tax year in line with inflation: • QCR fixed amount: **£10,000** to **£18,140** • Additional weekly tax relief per child: - **£375 per week** (for under 11 year olds) - **£450 per week** (for 11 year olds and over) You may also be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your state pension. This can feel overwhelming - but we provide membership to **FosterTalk**, so you can get support with tax returns. We can also help you with allowances, income summaries and anything else you need.
All carers are self-employed, so you are responsible for paying your own taxes. However, you will be eligible for tax relief. From **April 2023**, Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) rates increased and now automatically increase each tax year in line with inflation: • QCR fixed amount: **£10,000** to **£18,140** • Additional weekly tax relief per child: - **£375 per week** (for under 11 year olds) - **£450 per week** (for 11 year olds and over) You may also be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your state pension. This can feel overwhelming - but we provide membership to **FosterTalk**, so you can get support with tax returns. We can also help you with allowances, income summaries and anything else you need.
Basic allowance (standard fostering)
Basic allowance (standard fostering)
Key figures
Key figures
Minimum £469 per week for one child on a standard arrangement. Equivalent to £24,388 per year as a basic allowance (carers can earn more depending on placement type and needs).
Minimum £469 per week for one child on a standard arrangement. Equivalent to £24,388 per year as a basic allowance (carers can earn more depending on placement type and needs).
Extras
Extras
What are the extras?
What are the extras?
There are more benefits to fostering, including: • **14 days of paid holiday** a year for the child you look after (a respite allowance so you can take a break without worrying about losing income) • Extra money for **Christmas, birthdays and summer holidays** • Financial long-service rewards and opportunities to receive payment for recommending and recruiting other foster families • Extra payments when children first come into your care and when they move to secondary school • An activity fund so children can join new clubs, try new things or develop life skills and days out for the whole family. • A career progression scheme where payments increase as your skills and experience develop
There are more benefits to fostering, including: • **14 days of paid holiday** a year for the child you look after (a respite allowance so you can take a break without worrying about losing income) • Extra money for **Christmas, birthdays and summer holidays** • Financial long-service rewards and opportunities to receive payment for recommending and recruiting other foster families • Extra payments when children first come into your care and when they move to secondary school • An activity fund so children can join new clubs, try new things or develop life skills and days out for the whole family. • A career progression scheme where payments increase as your skills and experience develop
Work & benefits
Work & benefits
Can you still work - and can you receive benefits?
Can you still work - and can you receive benefits?
**Can you still work and foster?** Some foster carers do still work as long as the job is flexible enough to allow time to care for the child or young person in your home. The commitment involved can make it difficult to work full-time elsewhere, so we will talk it through honestly. **Can foster parents receive benefits?** Some benefits you may still be able to claim include: • Income support • Council tax reduction • Disability living allowance • Working tax credit • Housing benefit Even if you need extra financial support, do not let that be the reason you think you cannot foster. Speak to us and we will help you understand your options.
**Can you still work and foster?** Some foster carers do still work as long as the job is flexible enough to allow time to care for the child or young person in your home. The commitment involved can make it difficult to work full-time elsewhere, so we will talk it through honestly. **Can foster parents receive benefits?** Some benefits you may still be able to claim include: • Income support • Council tax reduction • Disability living allowance • Working tax credit • Housing benefit Even if you need extra financial support, do not let that be the reason you think you cannot foster. Speak to us and we will help you understand your options.
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Fostering
Support
Our Address
The Homefinding & Fostering Agency
Vinters Park
Maidstone
ME14 5NZ
© 2026 Homefinding & Fostering Agency.
Get stories, fostering advice, and news straight to your inbox
Sign up to hear from us once a month. No spam, just real support.
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Fostering
Support
Our Address
The Homefinding & Fostering Agency
Vinters Park
Maidstone
ME14 5NZ
© 2026 Homefinding & Fostering Agency.