Fostering allowances

Our foster parents deserve to be rewarded for their hard work. That’s why we offer generous and competitive fostering allowances and payments.

Enquire Now

Our foster care allowances take into account the demands of foster care and the significance of the role you play in a child or young person’s life. They’re designed to help you cover the cost of looking after the foster child in placement.

You’re not just entitled to competitive allowances and fostering fees. You’ll also be entitled to other benefits including tax relief and may continue to receive any benefits you may already be entitled to whilst you have a fostering placement. We don’t just reward you financially though. At FCA, we offer unrivalled levels of support and training to all our foster parents, working together to become even stronger.

In addition, foster carers receive a range of benefits, such as access to our exclusive rewards platform, where there are hundreds of fantastic discounts on family experiences and shops across the UK.

ENQUIRE NOW

How much will I receive?

You start to receive your fostering allowance as soon as a child or young person is in your care.

On average, our foster parents receive approx £400 per child, per week.

However, the amount of foster care pay that you receive varies from region to region and the type of fostering. We understand that some children and young people have more challenging needs and requirements than others, and that sometimes you’ll need an extra helping hand. Factors such as this, along with the age of the child you foster can all affect the allowances and fostering payments you’ll receive.

Great rewards and benefits for foster parents

As an FCA family member, you will have access to our rewards platform with hundreds of offers at all your favourite high street retailers.

What is the fostering allowance used for?

We don’t advise you how to spend your fostering allowance; this is for you to decide based on the needs the child and your family. We provide you with a fostering allowance that takes into account the costs of living with a foster child. This can include food, clothing, pocket money, household bills, transport, activities and everyday living.

“We’ve been made to feel very welcome and part of the team, not just a resource. That’s why we decided to foster with Foster Care Associates.”

Tax information for foster parents

When you foster with us, you’ll be classed as self-employed. This means you’ll be entitled to tax relief on your fostering income and each year you’ll need to file a tax return.

You are entitled to qualifying care relief which means:

Part one – You can earn £10,000 from fostering before you have to pay tax.
Part two – a weekly tax relief amount for each child in your care.
- £200 for children under 11.
- £250 for children aged 11 or over.

Your National Insurance contribution and state pension

As a self employed foster parent you will also need to register for Class 2 National Insurance contributions. If as a foster parent your taxable income from fostering is less than the foster carer tax allowance so you are not paying income tax, you don’t have to pay National Insurance either. However, you may decide to make voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions. This would enable your entitlement to Basic State Pension, Bereavement Benefits, Maternity Allowance and contributory Employment and Support allowance.

Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, where here to talk.

Enquiry Form

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Postcode*

How can we help you?*

Comments

Are you happy to receive regular fostering news from us?*

Yes

No