The rate sheet
Fostering payments are paid to foster carers every two weeks.
The fostering payment is made up of two parts:
- the allowance based on the age of the child, which is meant to cover the child’s living costs for their contribution for food, heating, clothing, pocket money, after school activities etc. If you care for more than one child, you will receive an allowance for each child.
- the skills fee based on your assessed skills and experience.
Full-time foster carers also receive allowances for children’s birthdays, summer holidays and celebrated holidays.
Part-time foster carers receive daily allowances and fee for each session a child or young person comes to stay.
Allowances for 2025-2026
| Age of child | Weekly (full-time) / Daily (part-time) |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | £176 / £18.60 |
| 5-10 | £194 / £20.51 |
| 11-15 | £220 / £23.26 |
| 16-17 | £258 / £27.27 |
Fees for 2025-2026
| Level | 1 child weekly / daily | 2 children weekly / daily | 3 children weekly / daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | £124.44 / £17.78 | £186.66 / £26.67 | £248.88 / £35.55 |
| Level 1 | £183.72 / £26.25 | £275.58 / £39.37 | £367.44 / £52.49 |
| Level 2 | £260.20 / £37.17 | £390.30 / £55.76 | £520.40 / £74.34 |
| Level 3 | £370.40 / £52.91 | £555.60 / £79.37 | £740.80 / £105.83 |
Additional payments
These additional payments are available to Foster for Bradford foster carers:
- Retainer fees up to 12 weeks to cover vacant periods
- Up to 28 days’ paid holiday
- Birthday allowance for each foster child (1 week’s allowance)
- Holiday allowance for each foster child (2 weeks’ allowance)
- Religious holiday allowance for each foster child (1 week’s allowance paid in Nov/Dec)
- Provision of basic/essential equipment and specialist equipment if required
- Payments for educational (not recreational) trips during school
- Exceptional mileage payments
- Referral reward scheme of up to £1250 for referring new carers
- Initial clothing grant (if applicable to child’s situation on arrival)
- Life story work payments
- Additional payments for being a foster carer ambassador
Examples
A level 1 foster carer fostering 1 baby would receive £359.72 (£176.00 allowance + £183.72 fee) each week, which is the equivalent of earning £18,705.44 per annum.
A level 2 foster carer fostering a child aged 5 and a child aged 11 would receive £804.30 (£194.00 + £220.00 children’s allowances + £390.30 fee) each week, which is the equivalent of earning £46,872 per annum.
Self-employment and paying tax
All foster carers in the UK are classed as self-employed. If you become a foster carer, you will need to register with HMRC as self-employed.
HMRC applies a generous tax-free allowance to fostering income. Almost all of your fostering income is exempt from tax thanks to the Qualifying Care Relief.
As a foster carer, you’ll be able to claim:
- a tax exemption of up to £19,690 per household
- tax relief for every week you foster a child
- claim National Insurance Credits to build a state pension.
Claiming benefits
Being a foster carer can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.
If you’re claiming benefits, you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.
You can get disability benefits for your foster child if they meet the criteria. You may also be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if your foster child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Talk to us
You don’t need to know right now what type of fostering would suit you. We can help you decide what would suit your personal circumstances.