One of the common misconceptions about becoming a foster carer is that there is no financial support available and you are required to fund your foster child’s care yourself. This has led many people to believe that you need to be employed full time to apply to become a Foster carer and that people in receipt of benefits cannot apply.

This is not the case! Foster care is now seen less as a vocation and more as a profession; indeed there are many people who devote themselves full time to fostering as their professional career. Fostering requires much hard work; patience and dedication from you as a foster carer and as such you will receive financial support from your chosen fostering agency to cover the costs associated with welcoming another child into your home.

The foster carer salary is made up of two components: the fostering allowance and the foster carer fee.

The fostering allowance relates only to your foster child, is paid for the duration of their placement and will cease to be paid once their placement ends. For this reason you need to be able to demonstrate that you are financially stable without relying on these payments. This payment covers the cost of your foster child’s food, travel, pocket money, clothing etc.

The other element of the foster carer salary is the professional fee; this is paid to you in recognition of your skills and expertise.

The average total payment per week you would receive as a foster carer with an Independent Fostering Agency would be between £350-£400 per placement.

Tax and benefits.

As a foster carer you would be required to declare yourself self employed and complete a self assessment each year. There are generous tax exemptions available for foster carers as long as their income falls below a certain level. (Foster carers who also work may find their income exceeds this and they will be required to pay income tax)

HMRC guidance IR236 provides full details of the current foster carer income tax exemptions.

Financial Support is available to Foster Carers