Our enquiry team can discuss ways fostering can fit in with your own career and family. Call or email us today to learn more.
Foster carers give children the time and safety they need to overcome their lived trauma. Mainstream fostering provides care and stability for a child (0 to 18 years-old).
Full-time and part-time fostering options are available:
- short-term fostering
- long-term fostering
- respite fostering
What short-term fostering is
Short term foster carers usually look after a child for a few weeks or months at a time. Sometimes, you might care for the same child for up to 2 years. This is while professionals support families to see if their child can return home.
What long-term fostering is
Long term fostering involves becoming the primary long-term carer for a child. They offer a loving home and stability for children who may never have experienced this. Sometimes, you may support contact with their birth family too.
What respite fostering is
Respite foster carers help other foster carers and birth families care for children. This can be for one weekend a month, or during school holidays.
Any young person will be precisely matched with you. Plus, you will also have plenty of information about their routines, needs and interests.
“Respite care has been invaluable; it’s been a real eye-opener. Now, we’re very open-minded and respite care has helped build our expectations and skill sets.”
How much can you earn as a foster carer?
We know foster carers are not motivated by money, but everyone has living costs. Foster carers are paid professional fees plus allowances.
- Professional fees are paid to the foster carer, for their time and lifestyle changes
- Allowances are paid to contribute to the children's living costs (for example clothing, food, school trips)
Both fees, and allowances are paid depending on the children's ages.
Allowances (paid per week, per child)
(valid from 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026)
|
Children’s age |
Department for Education’s recommendations |
Essex County Council’s allowances |
|
0 to 2 years old |
£170 |
£193.13 |
|
3 to 4 years old |
£176 |
£193.13 |
|
5 to 10 years old |
£194 |
£220.08 |
|
11 to 15 years old |
£220 |
£273.77 |
|
16+ years old |
£258 |
£291.34 |
Professional weekly fees for mainstream foster carers
(valid from 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026)
- £255 (plus weekly allowance) for children 0 to 10 years old
- £315 (plus weekly allowance) for children 11 to 18 years old
Mainstream foster carers also receive:
- additional seasonal allowances
- access to paid expenses
- up to 28 days paid breaks (for long term and short term foster carers)
Finances are paid pro-rata for respite foster carers.
Learn more about how fostering finances work.