Fostering allowances are a crucial aspect of the fostering system in the UK, ensuring that foster carers have the financial resources to provide a stable, nurturing environment for the children and young people in their care.
These allowances cover day-to-day expenses, ensuring that foster carers can meet the needs of children and focus on their well-being.
Fostering allowances are intended to cover costs such as:
• Food, clothing, and toiletries
• Educational resources, including school supplies and books
• Transport for school, medical appointments or leisure activities
• Utilities, household expenses and any additional costs for the child’s care
The minimum allowance set by the government in England ranges from £137 to £240 per week per child, depending on the child’s age and location. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, allowances vary slightly but are generally in the same range.
As an independent fostering agency, Footprints is able to offer competitive allowances that exceed those of local authorities. We provide fostering allowances of up to £500 per child per week, depending on the needs of the children.
Additionally, we offer a range of supplementary allowances and benefits to support our foster carers.
Foster carer payments are divided into two elements:
This covers the child’s living and daily expenses, such as:
• Food and clothing
• Utilities and transport
• Pocket money and leisure activities
• Holiday and outing costs
This part recognises fostering as a professional career. Whether you foster full-time or alongside another job, this portion is your income. The reward element can exceed £20,592 annually when fostering two children for a full year.
In a tax year, your household will not pay tax on the first £19,360 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.
On top of the £19,360 exemption, you also get tax relief for every week (or part week) that a child is in your care.
This means you do not usually pay tax on your earnings from foster care, even if they go over £19,360. Visit the HMRC website for more information on tax relief for foster carers.
If you have any questions about the fostering allowance, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
Footprints Foster Care Ltd
Registered Company No 07879639
Longham Business Park
168 Ringwood Road
Ferndown
Dorset BH22 9BU
Please do not be anxious about contacting us
– we promise not to put you under any pressure. We are happy to answer your questions and we need to ask questions to make sure that you meet some basic criteria, such as do you have a spare bedroom and live in the right area?
Assuming that these basic criteria are met and you are happy to proceed, we will arrange to come and meet you at your home.
The home visit usually lasts 1-2 hours and gives both parties the chance to ask lots of questions. We find out more about you and you find out more about us and what we can offer. If everyone is happy to proceed you will be given an application form to complete.
If however, having found out more about fostering, you decide that you do not wish to proceed, then do not feel embarrassed to say so. We will also be honest and let you know if we do not feel it is in your interests to proceed.
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If you decide to proceed, you will complete an application form and go into the assessment process. This can take between 3–6 months and is undertaken by a qualified social worker.
It is a thorough process and one which helps people understand what has shaped their lives, prepares them for the challenge of fostering and determines their motivation to foster. As part of this process, we will also undertake statutory checks and personal references, including police checks, personal and employment references and medicals.
The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any adult children you have living away from home to ensure they fully support your intentions to foster.
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During the assessment period, you will have the opportunity to attend the Skills to Foster™ course that provides the foundation for future learning and development, as well as giving you the confidence to undertake your first placement.
You will also be required to complete a portfolio of evidence to support your assessment.
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After stage 3 has been completed, your assessment and portfolio will be presented to a Fostering Panel. The panel is made of experienced social work practitioners and independent members, who will have carefully considered the report in advance of the panel.
You and your assessor will both attend the fostering panel to enable panel members to meet you, address any points for clarification and hear any final questions you may have.
If the panel is satisfied the requirements regarding your suitability to foster are met, they will make a recommendation to approve you as a foster carer.
The ultimate decision to approve lies with the agency decision maker, who will carefully consider the recommendation made by the fostering panel.
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