Foster carer finances and expenses

We know foster carers are not motivated by money, but everyone has living costs. When you foster with Essex County Council, we want you to be financially secure. Then, you can focus on improving children's lives. 

How do foster carer finances work?

How much you earn depends on the type of foster care you provide and the age of the child(ren) in your care. The total amount you earn = your weekly fee + weekly allowance, per child

Based on caring for one 11 - 15 year old, on average foster carers receive £537.12 per week. This equals a total annual income of £27, 930.24. 

If you're caring for children with complex needs, this can rise to £1, 317.12 per week, per child. For example, if children can't attend mainstream education, or have complex medical needs.

Essex County Council's foster carers also receive: 

We invest in a local support package, so your family are never alone. You have 24/7 access to local support, including social workers and a mental health team. 

• 28 days of paid holiday each year
• a retention fee. You will still be paid for up to 28 days between a child leaving your care and another child coming into your care. This applies if your home is empty, you’re not caring for any other foster children.
• extra payments towards birthdays and Christmas celebrations
• extra payments during summer holidays, towards days out 
• paid expenses (for travel to training courses, family visits and specialist equipment)
• Most state benefits are not affected by your fostering allowance – see our Foster Carers, State Benefits and Pensions
• You might also be entitled to Working Tax Credit and other state benefits – see our Foster Carers, State Benefits and Pensions

Foster carers receive tax-free allowances

Most of what you earn as a foster carer is tax-free. So, compared to a private sector job with the same income, our foster carers have a greater ‘take home’ pay each month.

Foster carers can claim expenses for:

• travel for meetings about the child
• out of catchment school mileage
• fostering training and events mileage
• any specialist equipment the child needs

Weekly fees and allowances for mainstream foster carers 

Other types of foster care also receive a fee and allowance, but amounts are different. Most foster carers are mainstream foster carers, providing a home for children aged 0 - 16 years old.

Weekly fees 

Foster carers are paid a weekly fee for their time and lifestyle changes. 

Mainstream foster carers provide a home for a child (aged 0 – 16 years-old), either short-term or long term. More information on the role of mainstream foster carers is available.

• £220 fee (plus allowance) per week, per child for children aged 0 -10
• £270 fee (plus allowance) per week, per child for children aged 11 – 18

Weekly allowances for foster carers

This is for the child’s food, clothes and any activities they take part in. The allowance you receive depends on the child’s age and is paid per child.

• £188.37 for children aged 0 - 2
  
  • this is £23.37 more than Department for Education (DFE)'s recommended minimum
• £188.37 for children aged 3 - 4
  
  • this is £18.37 more than DFE's recommended minimum
• £214.69 for children aged 5 - 10
  
  • this is £27.69 more than DFE's recommended minimum
• £267.12 for children aged 11 - 15
  
  • this is £54.12 more than DFE's recommended minimum
• £284.20 for children aged 16+
  
  • this is £35.20 more than DFE's recommended minimum

These allowances are valid from Monday 1 April 2024.

Specialist fostering fees apply when a child needs further support

 For example, if children can't attend mainstream education, or have complex medical needs.

• £270 fee per week (plus allowance), per child for children aged 0 – 10
• £380 fee per week (plus allowance), per child for a child of any age who:
  
  • can’t live alongside other children
  • had already had several placements breakdown
  • is leaving residential care
  • needs their foster carer to be available during school hours

Fees for caring for children with disabilities

Fees are paid to foster carers, to reimburse for your time and lifestyle changes. The fee foster carers are paid depends on the type of foster care given, plus how old the children are. 

There are three main types of foster care for children with disabilities:

1. short-term and long-term fostering
2. short breaks
3. fee-paid short breaks

Our fees for 2024/2025 are also summarised here.

Fostering offers competitive fees, compared to other healthcare roles

For example, a short-breaks foster carer can earn up to £1,317.12 a week, based on caring for an 11 – 15-year-old for five nights. 

Fees for short-term and long-term fostering 

• £550 per week, per child (plus allowance), for a child of any age with a diagnosed disability. The child will also be receiving support from our children with disabilities team.
• £1090 per week, per child (plus allowance) for a child with a disability who needs a high level of two-parent care or through the night care

Fees for short breaks for children with disabilities

Short breaks offer the children’s (0 to 18 years old) primary caregivers a break from their daily routine. You can be a short breaks carer for at least one weekend a month.

• £12.91 per hour (between 7am and 7pm while caring for a child)
• plus £100 overnight rate

Fee paid short breaks for children with disabilities

Fee paid short breaks cares for individual children (0 to 18 years old) with more complex needs. This can be for up to five nights a week. A part-time option (three nights a week) is available too.

These fees reflect the level of skill required. You will be paid from the point of approval. Plus, you will continue to receive a fee even while you don’t have a child placed with you.

How much do short breaks carers earn?

• £550 + £100 overnight fee per night (5 nights)
• £440 + £100 overnight fee per night (4 nights)
• £330 + £100 overnight fee per night (3 nights)