How Much Do Foster Carers Earn in 2025?

Allowance vs fee — what's the difference?

Foster carers receive two types of payment:

• Fostering allowance — a weekly payment to cover the cost of caring on a day-to-day basis (food, clothing, transport, activities). This is not taxable income.
• Professional fee (or skill fee) — an additional payment that recognises your skills and experience as a carer. This is taxable but covered by generous HMRC tax relief.

Government minimum allowances (2025/26)

The UK government sets minimum weekly allowances that local authorities and most IFAs must meet or exceed:

• Baby (0-1) — £173 per week
• Pre-primary (1-4) — £176 per week
• Primary (5-10) — £195 per week
• Secondary (11-15) — £222 per week
• 16-17 years — £260 per week

London boroughs pay higher rates. IFAs (independent fostering agencies) typically pay significantly above these minimums.

What do IFAs pay?

Independent fostering agencies often offer between £350 and £600+ per week — combining allowance and fee. Some specialist placements (therapeutic, parent-and-child, remand) can exceed £800 per week.

The exact amount depends on:

• The age of the child
• The type of placement (standard, specialist, emergency)
• Your experience and qualifications
• Your location

Tax relief for foster carers

HMRC provides a generous Qualifying Care Relief for foster carers. You receive a tax-free allowance of:

• £10,000 fixed annual amount per household
• Plus £200 per week for each child under 11
• Plus £250 per week for each child aged 11+

For many foster carers, this means you pay little or no tax on your fostering income.

Is it about the money?

Foster caring is a vocation, not a job — and agencies will always look for genuine motivation first. But it's also important that you can support yourself financially while caring for a child. The allowances and fees are designed to make fostering financially sustainable.