Fostering with Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ offers more than just emotional rewards. It provides generous, tax-friendly weekly payments that reflect both the cost of caring for a child and the value of your role as a foster carer. Each week, you’ll receive two separate payments: one is the child allowance, which covers essentials like food, clothing and hobbies; the other is a carer fee, which is your income for the vital work you do.
Depending on the type of fostering and the age of the child, these payments can total up to £570 per child, per week, and up to £1,102.57 per week for parent and child fostering. On top of this, you may be eligible for additional payments, including mileage reimbursement (45p per mile), extra support during recruitment activities, and enhanced rates for short breaks or supported lodgings. With flexible support, tailored training, and a public service that puts children and carers first, fostering with Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ is a rewarding way to make a difference close to home.
You might be taxed on the money you earn from fostering. However, most foster carers and may also be exempt from tax on some of their non-fostering income.
Page Contents
- What you will be paid if you foster long-term, short-term or unaccompanied asylum seeking children
- What you will be paid as a parent and child foster carer
- What you will be paid as a supported lodgings carer
- What you will be paid as a short breaks carer
- What you will be paid as a Mockingbird Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ Hub Carer
- Ready to foster with Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ?
What you will be paid if you foster long-term, short-term or unaccompanied asylum seeking children
All foster carers are paid a weekly allowance. With pre-approval training, most of our foster carers will start at payment level 2. Extra training and/or evidence of learning is needed for higher levels.
Level 1
At this level, all of the weekly allowance should be spent on the foster child's living costs as well as any activities or hobbies the child may have.
| Item | Child aged 0 to 4 | Child aged 5 to 10 | Child aged 11 to 13 | Child aged 14 to 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allowance for child's living costs and activities | £203.78 | £231.13 | £308.14 | £357.99 |
Level 2
At this level, you will be paid the weekly allowance for the child plus a weekly fee payment for your skills.
| Item | Child aged 0 to 4 | Child aged 5 to 10 | Child aged 11 to 13 | Child aged 14 to 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allowance for child's living costs and activities | £203.78 | £231.13 | £308.14 | £357.99 |
| Skills fee paid to foster carer | £106.02 | £106.02 | £106.02 | £106.02 |
| Total weekly payment | £309.80 | £337.15 | £414.16 | £464.01 |
Level 3
At this level, you will be paid the weekly allowance for the child plus a weekly fee payment for your skills.
| Item | Child aged 0 to 4 | Child aged 5 to 10 | Child aged 11 to 13 | Child aged 14 to 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allowance for child's living costs and activities | £203.78 | £231.13 | £308.14 | £357.99 |
| Skills fee paid to foster carer | £212.04 | £212.04 | £212.04 | £212.04 |
| Total weekly payment | £415.82 | £443.15 | £520.16 | £570.03 |
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What you will be paid as a parent and child foster carer
Parent and child foster carers are paid two separate weekly allowances, one for the parent and one for their child. This is because you will be looking after two people in your home.
- Allowance for baby or child's living costs and activities - £203.78
- Allowance for parent's living costs - £357.99
- Fee paid to foster carer - £540.80
Total - £1102.57
What you will be paid as a supported lodgings carer
We will pay you an allowance of £274.56 a week, which is for your time spent supporting the young person living with you. Young people living in supported lodgings are charged £70 a week rent. This is paid from their housing benefit or wages, or from a combination of the two. If the young person is sharing the household food, they are expected to contribute £20 per week.
- Weekly Allowance - £274.56
- Rent from young person - £70
- Contribution to food costs (optional) - £20
Total - £364.56
What you will be paid as a short breaks carer
You will receive between £86.96 and £112.20 to care for a child overnight depending on their age. We also offer a day care rate of between £60.24 and £85.48 and an hourly rate of between £12.05 and £17.09 per hour for shorter sessions.
You will be reimbursed your travel expenses at 45p per mile.
| Item | Child aged 0 to 4 | Child aged 5 to 10 | Child aged 11 to 13 | Child aged 14 to 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly Rate | £12.05 | £12.83 | £15.03 | £17.09 |
Day care rate (over 5 hours) | £60.24 | £64.14 | £75.15 | £85.48 |
12 to 24 hours (overnight) | £86.96 | £90.86 | £101.87 | £112.20 |
What you will be paid as a Mockingbird Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ Hub Carer
Hub home carers benefit from a comprehensive support package designed to help them thrive in their role. Financially, hub home carers receive £540 per week, with additional allowances available for extra responsibilities or expenses. The role also offers a healthy work-life balance, with one day off each week, one weekend off each month, and four weeks of paid holiday each year.
Ready to foster with Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ?
If you want to make a difference close to home, and be truly supported while doing it, fostering with Ñý¾«¶¯Âþ could be the right next step.
You’ll be part of a public service that puts children and carers first, not profit.