Foster carers receive a fostering allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child or young person. This allowance is intended to contribute towards day-to-day expenses such as food, clothing, household costs, travel, activities and other items needed to support a child’s wellbeing.
The government publishes National Minimum Allowances for foster carers in England. For the tax year 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, the minimum weekly allowances are:
| Child’s age | London | South East | Rest of England |
| 0 to 2 | £205 | £195 | £176 |
| 3 to 4 | £208 | £203 | £182 |
| 5 to 10 | £233 | £223 | £201 |
| 11 to 15 | £266 | £255 | £227 |
| 16 to 17 | £309 | £298 | £267 |
These are minimum rates. Some fostering services may pay additional fees or enhanced payments depending on factors such as the type of fostering, a child’s needs, or a foster carer’s skills and experience. Foster carers should check directly with the fostering service they are considering for the most up-to-date information about allowances, fees and any additional financial support available. Find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/support-for-foster-carers/help-with-the-cost-of-fostering
Considering the financial and practical impact of fostering
When considering fostering, it is important to think realistically about your household finances and day-to-day commitments. Caring for a child or young person may affect working arrangements, childcare responsibilities, availability for meetings and appointments, and other family commitments.
Many prospective foster carers want to understand whether fostering is financially viable for their household. Alongside allowances and any applicable fees, it is important to consider practical factors such as changes to employment, transport costs, household space and the time needed to meet a child’s individual needs.
Financial support is only one aspect of fostering. Decisions about approval and placements are based on the needs of children and young people and on an assessment of a prospective foster carer’s skills, experience, circumstances and capacity to provide safe, stable and nurturing care.
Additional Financial Help
In addition to fostering allowances and any fostering fees paid by a fostering service, there may be other forms of financial support available depending on a child’s needs, the type of placement, and local arrangements.
Examples may include:
- Setting-up or equipment grants when a foster carer is welcoming a child into their home and needs to purchase essential items such as a bed, bedroom furniture, clothing or safety equipment.
- Holiday, celebration or festival allowances provided by some fostering services to help with the costs of birthdays, cultural or religious celebrations, school holidays or family activities.
- Education-related support, including assistance with school uniform costs, educational trips, laptops, internet access or other resources that help a child participate fully in education.
- Transport and travel expenses for agreed journeys related to a child’s care, education, health appointments, contact arrangements or other placement-related activities.
- Enhanced allowances or specialist payments for children and young people with complex needs, disabilities, challenging behaviours, sibling groups, parent and child placements, or specialist fostering arrangements.
- Home adaptations, equipment or disability-related support where a child has additional physical, sensory or health needs and adaptations are required to help meet those needs safely.
- Leaving care and Staying Put arrangements, where different financial arrangements may apply when a young person remains living with former foster carers after the age of 18.
- Access to the Fostering Friendly benefits package, discounts and wellbeing support offered by some local authorities, fostering agencies or employers.
Tax and benefits
Many foster carers also benefit from specific tax arrangements. Foster carers are generally eligible for Qualifying Care Relief, a specialist tax scheme that means many foster carers pay little or no tax on fostering income, depending on their circumstances.
Receiving fostering payments does not automatically prevent someone from claiming other benefits. However, the impact on benefits will depend on individual circumstances. Anyone receiving benefits should seek up-to-date advice from the relevant agency or organisation before making decisions about fostering.
The financial support available varies between fostering services and local authorities. Details of allowances, fees, grants and additional payments can change over time. Prospective foster carers should always check directly with the fostering service they are considering to understand the full range of financial support available.