Foster Carer Pay & Allowances in the UK — 2026 Guide

One of the most common questions we hear from people thinking about fostering is:

"How much do foster carers actually get paid?"

It's a completely fair question, and an important one. Understanding the financial side of fostering helps you make an informed decision about whether it's right for you and your family.

This guide covers everything you need to know about foster carer pay and allowances in the UK, updated for 2026.

Is Fostering a Paid Role?

Yes, but the way fostering works financially is different from a regular salary.

As a foster carer, you receive a fostering allowance. This is made up of two parts:

• A maintenance allowance — to cover the day-to-day costs of caring for a child (food, clothing, transport, school essentials, activities, and so on)

• A skills payment — which recognises your time, experience, and commitment as an approved carer

The maintenance element covers the child's needs. The skills payment is your income. Together, they make up your total weekly fostering allowance.

How Much Does being a Foster Carer Pay?

The exact amount varies depending on several factors:

• The age of the child — allowances are higher for teenagers than for younger children

• The type of placement — short-term, long-term, emergency, and specialist placements each carry different rates

• Your level of experience and training — more experienced carers typically receive higher skills payments

• The agency or local authority you work with

At Futures Group, we offer competitive allowances that reflect the skill and commitment our carers bring. If you'd like to know what that would look like for your specific situation, we're happy to talk it through. Get in touch here.

What Are the National Minimum Fostering Allowances?

The government sets minimum allowance rates that all foster carers in England must receive, regardless of which agency they work with.

Weekly allowances for the tax year from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027

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 minimums. Many independent fostering agencies — including Futures Group — pay above these rates, and your total weekly figure (maintenance plus skills payment) will typically be higher than what's listed above.

What Does the Allowance Cover?

The maintenance element of your allowance is designed to cover everything it genuinely costs to look after a child, including:

• Food, clothing and toiletries

• School essentials and uniforms

• Travel and transport

• Pocket money

• Hobbies, leisure, and activities

• Holidays

• Birthday and Christmas gifts

The skills payment on top of this is for you. It's recognition of your time, your professional commitment, and the care you provide every day.

Is There a Difference Between an Allowance and a Wage?

Yes, and the distinction matters.

A maintenance allowance reimburses you for what you spend on the child. A skills payment is your income as a carer. Fostering combines both, which is also why most foster carers pay little or no income tax — a significant financial advantage. You can read more about that in our guide: Is Fostering Income Tax-Free? Qualifying Care Relief Explained.

Can You Live Off Fostering?

Many carers do. If you're caring for one or more children full-time, the combined allowance can provide a comfortable household income, particularly once you factor in the tax relief most carers benefit from.

Whether fostering can work as your main income depends on:

• The number and type of placements you take

• Your household outgoings

• Whether you have a partner who also works or fosters

For a fuller picture, read our dedicated guide: Can You Live Off Fostering?

What Other Financial Support Is Available?

Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

• Additional payments for specialist or complex placements

• Retainer payments between placements (varies by agency)

• Funded training and development — Futures Group invests in our carers' ongoing learning at no cost to you

• National Insurance credits — foster carers can claim NI credits for every week they are approved, which count towards your State Pension

• Support during the assessment period — ask us what's available before you're approved

Does Fostering Affect Your Existing Benefits?

In most cases, no. Fostering income is treated differently from standard employment income. For most means-tested benefits — including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Child Tax Credit — your fostering allowance is disregarded when calculating your entitlement.

For a full breakdown, see: Does Fostering Affect Your Benefits, Council Tax & Child Benefit?

What About Tax?

Most foster carers pay no income tax on their allowance at all, thanks to a special HMRC scheme called Qualifying Care Relief (QCR). For 2026/27, every fostering household receives a tax-free threshold of £19,690 per year, plus additional weekly amounts for each child in your care.

In practice, the vast majority of foster carers find their total allowance falls entirely within this threshold — meaning a £0 tax bill on their fostering income.

For the full picture: Is Fostering Income Tax-Free? Qualifying Care Relief Explained.

What Would I Receive With Futures Group?

The best way to find out is to speak to us directly. Every carer's situation is different, and we'll give you a clear, honest breakdown of what your allowance would look like, with no pressure and no obligation.

Enquire Now

Figures in this guide are based on 2026/27 rates. Fostering allowances and tax thresholds are reviewed annually. Please speak to us or visit the Fostering Network website for the most current figures.