Foster carers financial support and managing payments
Manage invoices, payments, foster carers fees, claims and expenses.
As financial support, you will get a weekly fee which includes an allowance for the child (based on their age), plus a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 fee based on the amount of experience and training you have had as a foster carer.
The allowance for the child covers expenses like clothing, bed and board, activities, pocket money and savings.
Level 1 carers are new to fostering and developing their experience and knowledge through their journey and get £102 per week.
Level 2 carers have some fostering experience and have completed training to support their experiences and get £153 per week.
Level 3 carers have a wealth of fostering experience and training and get £204 per week.
The table below shows what weekly payment you could get, depending on the age of the child in your care and the level of fee you are eligible for:
| Age of Child | Allowance for the child | Total weekly payment as a Level 1 carer (allowance for child + £102 fee) |
Total weekly payment as a Level 2 carer (allowance for child + £153 fee) |
Total weekly payment as a Level 3 carer (allowance for child + £204 fee) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | £170 | £272 | £323 | £374 |
| 3 to 4 years | £176 | £278 | £329 | £380 |
| 5 to 10 years | £194 | £296 | £347 | £398 |
| 11 to 15 years | £220 | £322 | £373 | £424 |
| 16 to 17 years | £258 | £360 | £411 | £462 |
Allowances and fees are paid for each child that is placed with you.
Additional payments
In addition to the combined allowance and fees, Worcestershire Fostering will make additional payments to you for the following:
- mileage – mileage claims are on average around £51 per week, depending on the transport expectations of the child you are looking after
- retainer - a guaranteed fee when carers have a vacancy but are available to take a child
- holidays (two weeks foster carer allowance per year)
- paid respite for carers (up to four weeks per year)
- birthdays (one week foster carer allowance per year)
- religious festivals (one week foster carer allowance per year)
- initial clothing (between £214 to £532, depending on age)
- school uniform (between £61 to £194, depending on age)
- school trips
- set up costs
As a fostering family you also receive some tax benefits if you foster, this varies from household to household and depends on how many weeks you have a child in place within a financial year. Foster Talk can also advise you about this and provide support with doing your Tax Returns as a self-employed Foster Carer.
Allowances and fees correct as of 1 April 2025.
Register your interest
Fill out our online form to register your interest for fostering:
Useful links
- Financial support and managing payments
- Foster carers training and development
- Guidance and documents for approved foster carers
Download our information pack
Download: Fostering information pack 2025 (PDF)
Related
Sometimes families are unable to provide the level of care and support a child needs, register your interest to become a foster carer.
See information for Tax, National Insurance and benefits for foster carers.
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