Support, Fees and Benefits

At Team Fostering we provide foster carers with comprehensive support including a range of fees, allowances and benefits.

Our aim is to support you as much as we can so that you can develop and enhance your role as a foster carer, and as part of this we will always ensure you receive everything that you are entitled to. Following an increase in 2020, our fees and allowances are amongst the most competitive in the fostering sector, alongside a substantial package of support and benefits.

The amount we pay you varies depending on the age of the child. Over two thirds of children placed with us are 11 or over and for this age group we pay you £469.45 per week* which is £24,411.40 per year.

Unlike some agencies we don’t reduce our payment to you per child for any additional children in placement. More than 60% of our carers have more than one placement and if two children aged 12 and 14 were placed with you the payment would increase to £48,822.80 each year.

We pay Foster Carers every 2 weeks by bank transfer. As Foster Carers are treated as being self-employed no tax is deducted from the payment.

Where a child has been assessed as having additional difficulties a higher rate of payment is made. Sometimes there will be a particularly large amount of driving required and in these cases you will be able to claim mileage at 45p per mile. We organise an annual holiday and a program of activities throughout the year which we pay for in addition to your Carer Fees.

*The above fees include 14 nights' unused Short Break Care allowance. For further clarification on payments, speak to our Recruitment Team or visit our FAQs page.

How does fostering affect my state pension and tax?

You can apply for each year that you foster as a qualifying year for your State Pension which will help increase the amount of pension you receive, up to the maximum possible.

Foster Carers are self-employed for Tax purposes and you are able to claim special tax allowances to reduce the taxable amount of the income paid to you. If you have no other taxable income there is normally no tax to pay if you have either 1 or 2 children placed with you and you receive the basic level of payment stated above.

Don’t worry if this seems a bit daunting as we have a special arrangement with a firm of accountants who will complete your tax return and help you with tax for a specially discounted rate.

What additional support will I receive at Team Fostering?

24/7 support
A dedicated Supervising Social Worker
A bespoke Education and Support Service
A Peer Mentoring Scheme and monthly Carer Support Groups
Eligibility to take part in a wide range of training and development opportunities
Local Placements teams, responsible for matching children and young people with your family
The chance to join other carers and children at a range of away days, activity sessions and outings including an annual Team Fostering holiday