How Foster Carer Pay Is Made Up
Foster carer pay is made up of two main parts. The first is the child's allowance, which covers the cost of caring for a child, such as food, clothing, household bills, travel, school items, pocket money and activities.
The second part is the carer fee. This recognises the skills, time and experience you bring to the role, and the vital difference you make to a child's life. Together, these make up your weekly fostering allowance.
The amount you receive depends on the type of placement, such as respite, short-term, long-term or specialist, and the age and needs of the child. Extra payments may also be available for birthdays, festivals and holidays. Many foster carers also benefit from special tax arrangements, which mean little or no tax is paid on fostering income.
At Match Foster Care, we give you a clear written breakdown before a placement starts, so you know exactly what you will receive. Our finance calculator can also give you an idea of what you could earn. Find out more on our Transparent Payments page, try our finance calculator, or get in touch with our team.
See Your Breakdown
Try our finance calculator or speak to our team for a clear breakdown of foster carer pay.
