We hope that the reason you’re considering becoming a foster carer is to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Whilst it is morally rewarding, there is also a financial reward for your dedication and commitment as a foster carer.
Fostering agencies provide a weekly allowance for each foster child. This covers general household expenses, food, school meals, mileage, clothing and pocket money. The fostering allowance paid to the carer depends on the type of care provided and the age of the child.
The minimum weekly fostering allowance set in the UK for 2018-2019 is as follows: £127 for babies, £130 for pre-primary, £143 for primary, £164 for ages 11 to 15 and £191 for ages 16 to 17. Foster carers may also receive an additional fee, what we call the “reward” element, which reflects the skills of the individual carer.
Underfunded councils may pay the minimum rates. Private agencies may give a more generous allowance, even doubling the fee, giving carers the opportunity to care for children on a full-time basis.
If the child has an increased level of needs because of physical or mental challenges, the carer will receive an additional allowance to ensure that the child’s special needs will be met.
Aside from the allowance, UK foster carers also have a fixed tax exemption of up to £10,000 per year, depending on the length of the care provided. This means that the carer doesn’t have to pay tax on the first £10,000 income he or she makes from fostering. Carers will also receive a tax relief rate of £200 per week for each child under the age of 11 years old or £250 per week for each over 11 years old.
How much does AFA Fostering pay our foster carers?
We have chosen not to attract carers by highlighting how much they can receive with us. We do not believe that foster carers motivated by financial gains are right for our agency. We would like to hear from foster carers motivated by making a positive contribution to a child’s life.
Having said that, we firmly believe that our foster carers deserve to be properly rewarded for their dedication. So what we can say is that our generous fostering allowances compare favourably with those offered elsewhere.
Regardless of the monetary support offered, we believe that there is nothing more rewarding than being able to provide a safe and secured home for children. If you are looking to become a foster carer, AFA Fostering can help you. We welcome people from all kinds of backgrounds and we carefully match children with the right foster carer.
To discuss fostering allowances in more detail, please do get in touch. For fostering in Suffolk and Norfolk, please contact our East Anglia team on 01603 559255. For fostering in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and the West Midlands, call our Midlands office on 01332 813866.