We hope that the reason you’re considering becoming a foster parent 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 parent.
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 foster parent depends on the type of care provided, where you live and the age of the child.
The minimum weekly fostering allowance set in the UK for 2023 is between £154 and £270 per week. Foster parents may also receive an additional fee, what we call the “reward” element, which reflects the skills of the individual parent.
Underfunded councils may pay the minimum rates. Private independent fostering agencies may give a more generous allowance, even doubling the fee, giving foster parents 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 foster parent will receive an additional allowance to ensure that the child’s special needs will be met.
Aside from the allowance, UK foster parents 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 parent doesn’t have to pay tax on the first £10,000 income he or she makes from fostering. Foster parents will also receive tax relief for every week you foster a child.
How much does AFA Fostering pay our foster parents?
We have chosen not to attract foster parents by highlighting how much they can receive with us. We do not believe that foster parents motivated by financial gains are right for our agency. We would like to hear from foster parents motivated by making a positive contribution to a child’s life.
Having said that, we firmly believe that our foster parents 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 secure home for children. If you are looking to become a foster parent, we can help you. We welcome people from all kinds of backgrounds and we carefully match children with the right foster parent. Find out more about how to be a good foster parent.
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 and Buckinghamshire, call our Midlands office on 01332 813866.
This article was originally written in September 2018 and updated in April 2023.